U.S. patent application number 16/608391 was filed with the patent office on 2020-08-06 for the measurement of properties of flowing yield stress fluids.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hydramotion Limited. Invention is credited to John Gallagher.
Application Number | 20200249142 16/608391 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004797131 |
Filed Date | 2020-08-06 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200249142 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gallagher; John |
August 6, 2020 |
THE MEASUREMENT OF PROPERTIES OF FLOWING YIELD STRESS FLUIDS
Abstract
A model of the viscoplastic boundary layer of a yield stress
fluid is described and, based on which, there is provided a method
of estimating the yield stress of a flowing yield stress fluid
using one or more vibratory transducers having a vibratory surface
in contact with the yield stress fluid, the method comprising:
vibrating a vibratory surface of a vibratory transducer to transmit
a wave from a vibrating surface into a viscoplastic boundary layer
of the flowing yield stress fluid, the wave propagating a distance
into the viscoplastic boundary layer; making, using the vibrations
of the vibratory transducer, one or more measurements of the degree
of damping of vibration; and estimating the yield stress of the
flowing yield stress fluid based on the one or more measurements of
the degree of damping of vibration. There are disclosed
single-frequency, dual-frequency and triple-frequency modes of
operation.
Inventors: |
Gallagher; John; (Yorkshire,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hydramotion Limited |
Yorkshire |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004797131 |
Appl. No.: |
16/608391 |
Filed: |
April 27, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
April 27, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2018/051138 |
371 Date: |
October 25, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 11/162 20130101;
G01N 2011/0033 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01N 11/16 20060101
G01N011/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 27, 2017 |
GB |
1706734.9 |
Claims
1. A method of estimating the yield stress of a flowing yield
stress fluid using one or more vibratory transducers having a
vibratory surface in contact with the yield stress fluid, the
method comprising: vibrating a vibratory surface of a vibratory
transducer to transmit a wave from a vibrating surface into a
viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield stress fluid;
making, using the vibrations of the vibratory transducer, one or
more measurements of the degree of damping of vibration; and
estimating the yield stress of the flowing yield stress fluid based
on the one or more measurements of the degree of damping of
vibration.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein a first measurement of the degree
of damping of vibration is made with the vibratory surface of a
vibratory transducer vibrating at a first frequency of vibration to
transmit a wave that propagates a first distance into the
viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield stress fluid;
wherein a second measurement of the degree of damping of vibration
is made with the vibratory surface of a vibratory transducer
vibrating at a second frequency of vibration that is different from
the first frequency to transmit a wave that propagates a second
distance into the viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield
stress fluid that is lower than the first distance; and wherein the
yield stress of the flowing yield stress fluid is estimated based
on a linear combination of the first and second measurements of the
degree of damping of vibration.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: performing a
correction to one or both of the first and second measurements of
the degree of damping of vibration based on the first and second
frequencies of vibration and the power law index of the yield
stress fluid.
4. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the estimate of the
yield stress of the flowing yield stress fluid is proportional to:
( V 1 - V 2 ( .omega. 1 .omega. 2 ) n - 1 ) , ##EQU00022## wherein
V1 is the first measurement of the degree of damping of vibration,
V2 is the second measurement of the degree of damping of vibration,
.omega.1 is the angular frequency of the first frequency of
vibration, .omega.2 is the angular frequency of the second
frequency of vibration, and n is the power law index.
5. The method of claim 3 or claim 4, further comprising: making a
third measurement of the degree of damping of vibration with the
vibratory surface of a vibratory transducer vibrating at a third
frequency of vibration that is different from the first and second
frequencies of vibration to transmit a wave that propagates a third
distance into the viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield
stress fluid that is less than the first distance; and estimating
the power law index of the flowing yield stress fluid based on the
third measurement of the degree of damping of vibration and the
third frequency of vibration and further based on one of: the first
measurement of the degree of damping of vibration and the first
frequency of vibration; and the second measurement of the degree of
damping of vibration and the second frequency of vibration.
6. The method of any of claims 2 to 5, further comprising
estimating a flow velocity of the flowing yield stress fluid based
the ratio of the first and second measurements of the degree of
damping of vibration.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein a first measurement of the degree
of damping of vibration is made with the vibratory surface of a
vibratory transducer vibrating at a first frequency of vibration;
wherein a second measurement of the degree of damping of vibration
is made with the vibratory surface of a vibratory transducer
vibrating at the first frequency while the flow around the
vibrating surface of the vibratory transducer is different from the
flow around the vibrating surface of the vibratory transducer when
making the first measurement of the degree of damping of vibration
leading to a different distribution of yielded and unyielded
material flowing around the vibratory transducer; and wherein the
yield stress of the flowing yield stress fluid is estimated based
on the first and second measurements of the degree of damping of
vibration.
8. The method of claim 7, comprising changing, between the making
of the first and second measurements of the degree of damping of
vibration, a flow velocity of the yield stress fluid.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the flow around the vibrating
surface of the vibratory transducer is different from the flow
around the vibrating surface of the vibratory transducer when
making the first measurement of the degree of damping of vibration
due to one or more of: eccentric stirring of the yield stress
fluid; changing a position and/or orientation of the vibratory
transducer relative to a flow of the yield stress fluid; changing a
position and/or orientation of an obstruction affecting flow around
the vibratory transducer.
10. The method of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein one or more
recesses or one or more ridges are provided on a vibrating surface
of the one or more the vibratory transducers, or are provided on an
adjacent portion of a conduit wall.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the one more vibratory
transducers comprise a vibratory transducer configured to vibrate
in a torsional mode and having a shaft and a bob located at one end
of the shaft, the shaft having an axis and the vibratory transducer
being configured to vibrate in a torsional mode about the axis of
the shaft, wherein the bob comprises one or more recesses or ridges
on the surface of the bob.
12. The method of claim 11, the one or more recesses or ridges on
the surface of the bob are configured to shelter yield stress fluid
from the flow
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the bob is axially symmetric
and the one or more recesses or ridges extend around its
circumference.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the bob comprises one or more
recesses or ridges on the surface of the bob that extend in a
direction on the surface of the bob that is neither perpendicular
to nor parallel with the axis of the shaft,
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more recesses or
ridges on the surface of the bob extend helically around the
surface of the bob.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more recesses or
ridges on the surface of the bob extend in a direction parallel to
the axis of the shaft.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein the conduit comprises one or
more ridges or recesses on its interior surface adjacent the one or
more vibratory transducers.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the conduit comprises one or
more recess on its interior surface and a portion of a vibratory
transducer is located within the recess.
19. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more vibratory
transducers comprise a vibrating tube transducer.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the vibrating tube transducer
comprises one or more recesses or ridges on the interior surface of
the vibrating tube that are configured to shelter yield stress
fluid from the flow.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the interior surface of the
vibrating tube transducer is axially symmetric and the one or more
recesses or ridges extend around its circumference.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the interior surface of the
vibrating tube transducer comprises one or more recesses or ridges
that extend in a direction on the interior surface of the vibrating
tube transducer that is neither perpendicular to nor parallel with
the axis of the vibrating tube transducer,
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the one or more recesses or
ridges on the interior surface of the vibrating tube transducer
extend helically around the interior surface.
24. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more recesses or
ridges on the interior surface of the vibrating tube transducer
extend in a direction parallel to the axis of the vibrating tube
transducer.
25. The method of any of claims 19 to 24, wherein the vibrating
tube transducer is configured to vibrate in a torsional mode.
26. The method of any of claims 1 to 25, wherein measurements are
made using multiple vibratory transducers.
27. The method of any of claims 1 to 25, wherein the measurements
are made using only a single vibratory transducer.
28. The method of any of claims 1 to 25, wherein measurements are
made using one or more vibratory transducers vibrating in torsional
modes.
29. The method of claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the yield
stress fluid and the flow rate are constant and the estimate of the
yield stress is equal to the measured degree of damping of
vibration multiplied by a constant of proportionality for the given
constant viscosity and flow rate.
30. The method of claim 29, comprising making multiple measurements
of the degree of damping of vibration of a flowing yield stress
fluid using a single vibratory transducer at a single frequency to
monitor changes in yield stress.
31. An apparatus for estimating the yield stress of a flowing yield
stress fluid, the apparatus comprising: one or more vibratory
transducers, each having a vibratory surface; a processing module
configured to: vibrate a vibratory surface of one of the one or
more vibratory transducers to transmit a wave from the vibrating
surface into a viscoplastic boundary layer of a flowing yield
stress fluid; make, using the vibrations of the vibratory
transducer, one or more measurements of the degree of damping of
vibration; and estimate the yield stress of the flowing yield
stress fluid based on the one or more measurements of the degree of
damping of vibration.
32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein a first measurement of the
degree of damping of vibration is made with the vibratory surface
of a vibratory transducer vibrating at a first frequency of
vibration to transmit a wave that propagates a first distance into
the viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield stress fluid;
wherein a second measurement of the degree of damping of vibration
is made with the vibratory surface of a vibratory transducer
vibrating at a second frequency of vibration that is different from
the first frequency to transmit a wave that propagates a second
distance into the viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield
stress fluid that is lower than the first distance; and wherein the
yield stress of the flowing yield stress fluid is estimated based
on a linear combination of the first and second measurements of the
degree of damping of vibration.
33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the processing module is
further configured to: perform a correction to one or both of the
first and second measurements of the degree of damping of vibration
based on the first and second frequencies of vibration and the
power law index of the yield stress fluid.
34. The apparatus of any of claims 31 to 33, wherein the estimate
of the yield stress of the flowing yield stress fluid is
proportional to: ( V 1 - V 2 ( .omega. 1 .omega. z ) - 1 ) ,
##EQU00023## wherein V1 is the first measurement of the degree of
damping of vibration, V2 is the second measurement of the degree of
damping of vibration, .omega.1 is the angular frequency of the
first frequency of vibration, .omega.2 is the angular frequency of
the second frequency of vibration, and n is the power law
index.
35. The apparatus of claim 33 or claim 34, wherein the processing
module is further configured to: make a third measurement of the
degree of damping of vibration with the vibratory surface of a
vibratory transducer vibrating at a third frequency of vibration
that is different from the first and second frequencies of
vibration to transmit a wave that propagates a third distance into
the viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield stress fluid
that is less than the first distance; and estimate the power law
index of the flowing yield stress fluid based on the third
measurement of the degree of damping of vibration and the third
frequency of vibration and further based on one of: the first
measurement of the degree of damping of vibration and the first
frequency of vibration; and the second measurement of the degree of
damping of vibration and the second frequency of vibration.
36. The apparatus of any of claims 32 to 35, wherein the processing
module is further configured to estimate a flow velocity of the
flowing yield stress fluid based the ratio of the first and second
measurements of the degree of damping of vibration.
37. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein a first measurement of the
degree of damping of vibration is made with the vibratory surface
of a vibratory transducer vibrating at a first frequency of
vibration; wherein a second measurement of the degree of damping of
vibration is made with the vibratory surface of a vibratory
transducer vibrating at the first frequency while the flow around
the vibrating surface of the vibratory transducer is different from
the flow around the vibrating surface of the vibratory transducer
when making the first measurement of the degree of damping of
vibration leading to a different distribution of yielded and
unyielded material flowing around the vibratory transducer; and
wherein the yield stress of the flowing yield stress fluid is
estimated based on the first and second measurements of the degree
of damping of vibration.
38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processing module is
further configured to change, between the making of the first and
second measurements of the degree of damping of vibration, a flow
velocity of the yield stress fluid.
39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the flow around the
vibrating surface of the vibratory transducer is different from the
flow around the vibrating surface of the vibratory transducer when
making the first measurement of the degree of damping of vibration
due to one or more of: eccentric stirring of the yield stress
fluid; changing a position and/or orientation of the vibratory
transducer relative to a flow of the yield stress fluid; changing a
position and/or orientation of an obstruction affecting flow around
the vibratory transducer.
40. The apparatus of any of claims 31 to 39, wherein one or more
recesses or one or more ridges are provided on a vibrating surface
of the one or more the vibratory transducers, or are provided on an
adjacent portion of a conduit wall.
41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the one more vibratory
transducers comprise a vibratory transducer configured to vibrate
in a torsional mode and having a shaft and a bob located at one end
of the shaft, the shaft having an axis and the vibratory transducer
being configured to vibrate in a torsional mode about the axis of
the shaft, wherein the bob comprises one or more recesses or ridges
on the surface of the bob.
42. The apparatus of claim 41, the one or more recesses or ridges
on the surface of the bob are configured to shelter yield stress
fluid from the flow.
43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the bob is axially symmetric
and the one or more recesses or ridges extend around its
circumference.
44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the bob comprises one or
more recesses or ridges on the surface of the bob that extend in a
direction on the surface of the bob that is neither perpendicular
to nor parallel with the axis of the shaft.
45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the one or more recesses or
ridges on the surface of the bob extend helically around the
surface of the bob.
46. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the one or more recesses or
ridges on the surface of the bob extend in a direction parallel to
the axis of the shaft.
47. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the conduit comprises one or
more ridges or recesses on its interior surface adjacent the one or
more vibratory transducers.
48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the conduit comprises one or
more recess on its interior surface and a portion of a vibratory
transducer is located within the recess.
49. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the one or more vibratory
transducers comprise a vibrating tube transducer.
50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the vibrating tube
transducer comprises one or more recesses or ridges on the interior
surface of the vibrating tube that are configured to shelter yield
stress fluid from the flow.
51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the interior surface of the
vibrating tube transducer is axially symmetric and the one or more
recesses or ridges extend around its circumference.
52. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the interior surface of the
vibrating tube transducer comprises one or more recesses or ridges
that extend in a direction on the interior surface of the vibrating
tube transducer that is neither perpendicular to nor parallel with
the axis of the vibrating tube transducer,
53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the one or more recesses or
ridges on the interior surface of the vibrating tube transducer
extend helically around the interior surface.
54. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the one or more recesses or
ridges on the interior surface of the vibrating tube transducer
extend in a direction parallel to the axis of the vibrating tube
transducer.
55. The apparatus of any of claims 49 to 54, wherein the vibrating
tube transducer is configured to vibrate in a torsional mode.
56. The apparatus of any of claims 31 to 55, wherein measurements
are made using multiple vibratory transducers.
57. The apparatus of any of claims 31 to 55, wherein the
measurements are made using only a single vibratory transducer.
58. The apparatus of any of claims 31 to 55, wherein measurements
are made using one or more vibratory transducers vibrating in
torsional modes.
59. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the viscosity of the yield
stress fluid and the flow rate are constant and the estimate of the
yield stress is equal to the measured degree of damping of
vibration multiplied by a constant of proportionality for the given
constant viscosity and flow rate.
60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the processing module is
further configured to make multiple measurements of the degree of
damping of vibration of a flowing yield stress fluid using a single
vibratory transducer at a single frequency to monitor changes in
yield stress.
61. An apparatus for estimating the yield stress of a flowing yield
stress fluid using one or more vibratory transducers having a
vibratory surface in contact with the yield stress fluid, the
apparatus comprising: means for vibrating a vibratory surface of a
vibratory transducer to transmit a wave from a vibrating surface
into a viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield stress
fluid; means for making, using the vibrations of the vibratory
transducer, one or more measurements of the degree of damping of
vibration; and means for estimating the yield stress of the flowing
yield stress fluid based on the one or more measurements of the
degree of damping of vibration, wherein, optionally, the apparatus
comprises means for carrying out a method according to any of
claims 2 to 30.
62. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon
instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause
the one or more processors to: vibrate a vibratory surface of a
vibratory transducer to transmit a wave from a vibrating surface
into a viscoplastic boundary layer of a flowing yield stress fluid;
make, using the vibrations of the vibratory transducer, one or more
measurements of the degree of damping of vibration; and estimate
the yield stress of the flowing yield stress fluid based on the one
or more measurements of the degree of damping of vibration,
wherein, optionally, the computer-readable medium has stored
thereon instructions for causing one or more processors to carry
out a method according to any of claims 2 to 30.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to techniques and apparatus
for the measurement of fluid properties, and is concerned
particularly with determining a yield stress of a non-Newtonian
fluid.
[0002] In a Newtonian fluid, the shear stress is directly
proportional to the shear rate, the constant of proportionality
being the viscosity of the fluid. Therefore the viscosity as a
single parameter can be used to model or define the relationship
between shear stress and shear rate of the fluid, and therefore the
flow behaviour of Newtonian fluids. Water is an example of a
Newtonian fluid.
[0003] In a non-Newtonian fluid, the relationship between shear
stress and shear rate is not so simple. The apparent viscosity of
the fluid is found to vary with, for example, the shear stress or
the shear rate. Fluids that exhibit non-Newtonian behaviour include
tomato ketchup, mayonnaise and paint. The study of the flow of
these types of fluids is the field of `rheology`.
[0004] Rheological models have been generated for non-Newtonian
fluids, for which a small number of parameters can be obtained for
a fluid, which may be used to determine the relationship between
shear stress and shear rate in the fluid over a range of shear
stresses or shear rates, or in other words the `apparent` viscosity
provided by the fluid under those particular conditions.
[0005] In the prior art, such parameters of rheological models are
typically determined using a device that exerts shear forces in a
fluid sample using a rotating or oscillating element. Complex
viscoelastic parameters are usually determined by analysing the
relationship between the shear rate and the developed shear stress.
However, the devices use sensitive moving parts and their
performance, and therefore the accuracy of measurement, can become
affected by the environmental conditions in which they are used.
Furthermore, the need to manage the fluid sample within a carefully
defined volume, in order to calculate the shear rate accurately,
generally makes these types of apparatus suitable only for the
laboratory environment.
[0006] Of special interest is the real time measurement of the
yield stress of a fluid. Yield stress is defined as the stress
required in order for solid matter to flow and represents the point
of plastic deformation of the solid. It is a feature of many fluids
and has particular importance in the manufacture of foods, paints
and petro-geological fluids, for example, but also in naturally
occurring materials such as muds and sediments.
[0007] The details and origins of yield stress behaviour of fluids
is a subject of interest to researchers. Traditional approaches to
determining a yield stress are set out in "Yield Stress in Foods:
Measurements and Applications" of Sun et al (International Journal
of Food Properties, volume 12, pp 70-101, 2009), and in
"Understanding Yield Stress Measurements", a white paper produced
by Malvern Instruments Limited of Grovewood Road, Malvern,
Worcestershire, UK.
[0008] Traditional approaches measure yield stress of a static
sample. For example, in the extrapolation approach, there is
extrapolation of the shear stress versus shear rate data obtained
from conventional rheometers. The experimental data is extrapolated
back to zero shear rate to obtain the yield stress value at the
shear stress intercept.
[0009] For example, in the stress relaxation approach, the fluid
material is first sheared at either constant shear rate or constant
shear stress in a conventional rotational viscometer, followed by
bringing the material to rest either gradually or suddenly. The
yield stress is then measured as residual stress remaining in the
fluid upon cessation of flow.
[0010] For example, in the creep/recovery response approach, a
constant shear stress is applied in steps to the fluid material. If
stresses applied are below the yield stress, the test material
behaves as an elastic solid with a complete recovery upon removal
of stress and it will not flow. The yielding point can be detected
from a drastic change of slope in the time vs. shear strain
curve.
[0011] For example, in the shear stress ramp approach, a gradual
step increase is applied to the sample. The instantaneous (or
apparent) viscosity is monitored for the presence of an inflexion
point, which indicates onset of flow, and the yield stress.
[0012] For example, in the cone penetrometer approach, a metal cone
of specific dimensions is forced into the surface of test specimen.
The cone gradually slow down until it comes to rest. The yield
stress is calculated as a function of the penetration depth when
the cone stops.
[0013] For example, in the dynamic oscillation approach, the
material is subjected to a sinusoidal strain and the resulting
stress is measured as a function of both time and frequency.
Depending on the strain amplitude, small deformations occur within
the material. The presence of a low frequency plateau in the curve
can be correlated to the yield stress.
[0014] For example, in the inclined plane approach, a uniform fluid
layer is placed on an initially horizontal plane, followed by
progressively increasing the angle of inclination of the plane
until a critical value is reached, whereby the fluid starts to
flow. The yield stress is correlated with the angle of inclination
for the fluid to flow.
[0015] For example, in the vane technique, a vaned device is
immersed in the material. The vane geometry consists of a vane
spindle with typically four to eight thin blades arranged at equal
angles, cantered on a narrow cylindrical shaft of a rheometer or
viscometer. The vane can be operated under controlled shear-rate
mode or controlled shear stress mode; in both cases the yield
stress is the minimum stress required for continuous rotation of
the vane.
[0016] For example, in the squeezing flow approach, a sample of
fluid is placed between the two parallel test surfaces of a bench
rheometer or viscometer and squeezed in either a `constant volume`
or `constant area` arrangement. The determination of the yield
stress from squeezing flow is based on the residual stress after
shear and relaxation.
[0017] For example, in the plate method, a plate is immersed into a
container filled with sample material. An attached balance records
the force required to create plate movement and this is combined
with the buoyancy force to determine yield stress.
[0018] For example, in the slump test, a cylindrical mould is
filled with the test fluid and the mould is lifted off to allow the
material to collapse and flow under its own weight. The slump
height, which is the difference between the initial and final
heights is measured and provides an inverse relationship with yield
stress.
[0019] Unlike the above-described techniques, another traditional
approach allows for yield stress measurement of a flowing sample,
by way of the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), whereby a
material sample flowing at a constant velocity through a tube is
flow imaged using an MRI scanner. The MRI scanner is able to
measure the flow profile (flow velocity) of the fluid across the
pipe. The flow profile is combined with an estimate of stress from
the differential pressure along the pipe to provide a measurement
of yield stress.
[0020] The disadvantage of almost all of the above traditional
approaches to determining the yield stress of a fluid is the
requirement for a captive sample in a static (non-flowing)
environment. This makes these methods unsuitable for real-time
measurement. The traditional methods requiring captive samples are
largely confined to intermittent spot measurements and the
laboratory environment.
[0021] It would be desirable to provide fast real-time rheology
measurement of yield stress fluids under live conditions. This
would allow detailed assessment of large material volumes and
improved capability for their control and management. In
particular, in process industries, in-line measurement is
advantageous in that it allows for continuous product control. A
feedback loop may allow parameters of the process to be adjusted
based on in-line measurements of yield stress. While the
traditional approaches using captive static samples may be used to
take periodic measurements, there is inevitably a measurement lag.
The provision of faster measurements in-line would reduce or
eliminate the measurement lag and thus improving the
controllability of the process, which can increase product
consistency and reduce waste.
[0022] In other applications such as the measurement of rheological
properties of drilling muds and lubricants, the fast real time
rheological measurement of yield stress under live conditions may
improve efficiency by allowing faster intervention to correct drift
in fluid properties away from desired or permitted ranges.
[0023] In marine, civil engineering, mining and geotechnical fields
it would be desirable to provide fast measurement of flowing
materials with important rheology features such as poured concretes
and cements, slurries and muds, in situ, without taking captive
static samples, providing increased accuracy due to ease of taking
multiple data points, while reducing or eliminating delays involved
with spot testing and laboratory turnaround times.
SUMMARY
[0024] The inventor has determined that the behaviour of yield
stress fluids at a viscoplastic boundary layer can be modelled
using three phases. This model is termed herein a `tri-viscous`
model to distinguish it from existing models of the boundary layer
that use two phases and are termed `bi-viscous`. In considering
developed flow of a yield stress fluid over a stationary plate, a
viscoplastic boundary layer develops because friction of the
stationary plate causes shear stresses in the fluid relative to the
flow away from the stationary plate. Away from the stationary plate
and beyond the boundary layer, the yield stress fluid is wholly
unyielded, i.e. solid. Inside the boundary layer and close to the
stationary plate, the yield stress fluid is wholly yielded, i.e.
liquid. In the tri-viscous model there is also a third state
beginning at an intermediate distance within the boundary layer and
extending to the boundary layer, separating the wholly yielded and
wholly unyielded regions. According to the tri-viscous model, this
third region is a transitional region where the material is neither
wholly yielded nor wholly unyielded, but is instead a region of
fragmented solid in a liquid phase.
[0025] If, instead of a stationary plate, the fluid is flowing over
a vibrating surface, waves are generated that propagate into the
fluid that behave differently in different phases of the fluid. Put
simply, it has been found that waves propagating in the wholly
unyielded, i.e. solid, region beyond the boundary layer experience
low loss, waves propagating in the wholly yielded, i.e. liquid,
region within the boundary layer and close to the vibrating surface
experience medium loss, and waves propagating in the transitional
region beyond the wholly yielded region but within the boundary
layer experience high loss. Body waves such as shear waves travel
easily in solids and thus the loss is low. In the fully yielded
material the loss is higher due to viscosity, but not as high as in
the transitional region. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it
is believed that the granular nature of the transitional zone, with
weakly sheared semi-solid or fragmented solid in a liquid phase,
frustrates the propagation of waves such as shear waves causing the
high loss and that this is via the interaction between a semi-solid
or solid fragment and the liquid and via the interaction between
solid fragments. Thus according to the bi-viscous model, the energy
loss of propagating waves decreases as waves propagate greater
distances from the vibrating surface through a boundary layer of
liquid (medium loss) to a region of solid (low loss) beyond the
boundary layer.
[0026] This difference in behaviour can be used to estimate the
yield stress of the fluid, or other rheological properties of the
fluid and in some cases the flow velocity of the fluid.
[0027] According to the techniques of this disclosure, there are
multiple approaches to determining a fluid property such as the
yield stress. One approach is to use vibration at a single
frequency. Another is a dual frequency approach, wherein vibration
at two different frequencies is used. Another approach is a triple
frequency approach, wherein vibration at three different
frequencies.
[0028] For the single frequency approach, a wave emanating from a
vibratory surface of a vibratory transducer into a boundary layer
of a yield stress fluid experiences attenuation, or energy loss,
depending on the region it encounters. Where the penetration depth
is sufficiently long, i.e. the frequency is sufficiently low, the
wave can reach the transitional region and thereby experience the
high energy loss due to the presence of the mixed solid and liquid
phase. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that
viscous damping from the liquid phase will also add to the measured
energy dissipation and the amount of transitional layer damping
will be influenced by the proximity of the layer which varies
inversely (although not necessarily inversely proportionally) with
flow velocity. Where the material has no yield stress there is no
solid region and no transitional region and the dissipation is
therefore just a feature of attenuation due to viscous damping of
the liquid. The yield stress causes the formation of the
transitional region, which causes the high attenuation of the wave
and the energy loss, which can be determined by measuring the
degree of damping of vibration. This may be by measuring the
apparent viscosity, perhaps via a measurement of the Q-factor of
the vibration. From experiments it has been determined that, at
constant viscosity and flow, the measured apparent viscosity (i.e.
loss) is proportional to the yield stress of the material. Thus,
there may be a method of estimating the yield stress of a flowing
yield stress fluid using one or more vibratory transducers having a
vibratory surface in contact with the yield stress fluid, the
method comprising: vibrating a vibratory surface of a vibratory
transducer to transmit a wave from a vibrating surface into a
viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield stress fluid;
making, using the vibrations of the vibratory transducer, one or
more measurements of the degree of damping of vibration; and
estimating the yield stress of the flowing yield stress fluid based
on the one or more measurements of the degree of damping of
vibration, wherein the viscosity of the yield stress fluid and the
flow rate are constant and the estimate of the yield stress is
equal to the measured degree of damping of vibration multiplied by
a constant of proportionality for the given constant viscosity and
flow rate.
[0029] For the dual frequency approach, by employing a second
vibrational wave of higher frequency, and therefore lower
penetration depth into the material, so that the wave dissipates
wholly or largely in the liquid region and does not propagate into
the transitional region, the energy dissipation associated with
liquid viscosity only can be determined independently from the
second measurement. By comparing a first measurement of the degree
of damping (e.g. apparent viscosity of unyielded material) for a
wave propagating into the transitional region with a second
measurement of the degree of damping for a wave propagating only
into the liquid (yielded) region, the `common-mode` effect of
viscosity from the liquid phase can be nulled or cancelled from the
measurement of the yield stress resulting from the loss in the
transitional region. It is further believed that the ratio or
difference of the two measurements of degree of damping (e.g.
apparent viscosity) is related to the boundary layer depth which is
an inverse function of the fluid velocity in the unyielded, i.e.
solid, region. This ratio can therefore be scaled to provide an
indication of fluid velocity which in turn can be used to correct
the primary yield stress estimate for the effect of flow. Thus
there may be a method of estimating the yield stress of a flowing
yield stress fluid using one or more vibratory transducers having a
vibratory surface in contact with the yield stress fluid, the
method comprising: vibrating a vibratory surface of a vibratory
transducer to transmit a wave from a vibrating surface into a
viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield stress fluid;
making, using the vibrations of the vibratory transducer, one or
more measurements of the degree of damping of vibration; and
estimating the yield stress of the flowing yield stress fluid based
on the one or more measurements of the degree of damping of
vibration. wherein a first measurement of the degree of damping of
vibration is made with the vibratory surface of a vibratory
transducer vibrating at a first frequency of vibration to transmit
a wave that propagates a first distance into the viscoplastic
boundary layer of the flowing yield stress fluid; wherein a second
measurement of the degree of damping of vibration is made with the
vibratory surface of a vibratory transducer vibrating at a second
frequency of vibration that is different from the first frequency
to transmit a wave that propagates a second distance into the
viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield stress fluid that
is lower than the first distance; and wherein the yield stress of
the flowing yield stress fluid is estimated based on a linear
combination of the first and second measurements of the degree of
damping of vibration.
[0030] For the triple frequency approach, a third, even higher,
frequency can also be used, for which the wave penetration depth is
still within the wholly liquid region. Using the second and third
measurements that both propagate wholly or largely in the liquid
region, the degree to which the fluid exhibits non-Newtonian
behaviour can also be determined, which in turn can be used to
update or correct or improve the accuracy of the estimate of the
yield stress. The degree to which a fluid is non-Newtonian is
characterised by the `power law index`, n and consistency factor K.
These parameters can be determined by applying the Cox-Merz rule,
which equates the shear rate to the angular frequency of vibration,
and solving equations of the Power Law model using measured
viscosities and frequencies.
[0031] In a similar way to the Power Law Model, the fluid
parameters of yield stress .sigma..sub.0, Power Law Index n,
Consistency K, and Plastic Viscosity PV for the established Casson
and Herschel-Bulkley fluid models can be solved using known values
of viscosity, V, at different sensor frequencies, .omega..
[0032] Thus taking into account the above single-frequency,
dual-frequency, and triple-frequency approaches, there is provided
according to a first aspect of the invention a method of estimating
the yield stress of a flowing yield stress fluid using one or more
vibratory transducers having a vibratory surface in contact with
the yield stress fluid, the method comprising: vibrating a
vibratory surface of a vibratory transducer to transmit a wave from
a vibrating surface into a viscoplastic boundary layer of the
flowing yield stress fluid; making, using the vibrations of the
vibratory transducer, one or more measurements of the degree of
damping of vibration; and estimating the yield stress of the
flowing yield stress fluid based on the one or more measurements of
the degree of damping of vibration.
[0033] Preferably, the wave propagates into what is a region which
is, according to the tri-viscous model, believed to be a
transitional region between solid and liquid. This may be the
portion of the boundary layer that is most distant from the
vibratory surface. While the thickness of a boundary layer and
transitional region may vary with material properties, as may the
penetration depth of a wave, it has been observed that in many
yield stress fluids of industrial importance, such as molten
chocolate, this can be achieved in the case of shear wave
propagation by a frequency of around 300 Hz, and/or that the shear
wave is required to propagate at least several millimetres into the
boundary layer.
[0034] A shear wave propagating from a vibratory surface will
dissipate to a skin depth a distance d from the surface. The
penetration or propagation depth in a viscoelastic fluid varies
with the loss tangent of the material. But, for illustration, the
simpler Newtonian interpretation of this distance may be used, in
which the skin depth is given by the square root of the ratio of
twice the viscosity to the product of the angular frequency and the
density. By this, the propagation depth is the depth into the fluid
by which the amplitude of oscillation of the has reduced to 1/e of
its initial value, wherein e is the base of natural logarithms,
i.e. about 37%. Other penetration depths may be appropriate to use
in the case waves other than shear waves, these are described in
the literature and may be familiar to the skilled reader.
[0035] Put another way, a wave may be considered to have propagated
sufficiently into the boundary layer to experience the high loss
transitional region if it propagates a distance of (or has a
propagation depth greater than or equal to) at least about half of
the thickness of the viscoplastic boundary layer. This may be about
1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm,
about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 10 mm or more, according
to the particular material properties and conditions. It might be
assumed that waves propagating smaller distances into the boundary
layer might not experience the high loss transitional region and
may propagate solely in the wholly liquid region. This may be, for
fluids of industrial importance, vibrating at a frequency of about
300 Hz. In practical terms, lower frequencies may be preferred as
they propagate further, but it might be preferable for the minimum
frequency to be above about 100 Hz or alternatively above about 200
Hz, since lower frequencies might increase the amount of plant
noise picked up in the measurements and also make greater demands
on the transducer used to generate the waves. A possible range of
frequencies might be about 200 Hz to about 500 Hz for many fluids.
In Boujlel et al "Boundary Layer In Pastes--Displacement Of A Long
Object Through A Yield Stress Fluid" (Journal of Rheology, volume
56, 2012, doi:10.1122/1.4720387), there is presented a theoretical
derivation of viscoplastic boundary layer thickness for Poiseuille
flow, as well as presenting multiple explicit expressions for the
boundary layer thickness as a function of velocity and rheological
parameters. It is further observed experimentally that the boundary
layer thickness for flow over a plate tends to stabilize away from
the plate's leading edge, to a value of approximately 10 mm that is
found to vary only weakly with velocity. It may be possible to
determine whether or not a shear wave or other body wave is
propagating into the transitional region or beyond by varying the
frequency of vibration because of the sharp increase in energy loss
as waves begin to propagate into the transitional region. Thus it
may be straightforward to determine a frequency of vibration that
will propagate into the portion of the boundary layer more distant
from the vibrating surface, i.e. the transitional region by routine
variation of frequency of vibration. One possibility might be to
perform a frequency sweep although other, more efficient, sampling
techniques may be preferred, such as a binary search. There may be
a method of estimating the yield stress of a flowing yield stress
fluid using one or more vibratory transducers having a vibratory
surface in contact with the yield stress fluid, the method
comprising: vibrating a vibratory surface of a vibratory transducer
to transmit a wave from a vibrating surface into a viscoplastic
boundary layer of the flowing yield stress fluid; making, using the
vibrations of the vibratory transducer, one or more measurements of
the degree of damping of vibration; and estimating the yield stress
of the flowing yield stress fluid based on the one or more
measurements of the degree of damping of vibration, the wave
propagates into a portion of the boundary layer distant from the
vibratory surface, such as propagating a distance of at least about
half of the thickness of the viscoplastic boundary layer, which in
many cases of industrial importance might involve a frequency less
than about 500 Hz or propagating a distance of 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4
mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm or 10 mm, or propagating a
distance such that the energy loss increases with distance from the
vibratory surface.
[0036] In a preferred--dual frequency--embodiment, a first
measurement of the degree of damping of vibration is made with the
vibratory surface of a vibratory transducer vibrating at a first
frequency of vibration to transmit a wave that propagates a first
distance into the viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield
stress fluid; a second measurement of the degree of damping of
vibration is made with the vibratory surface of a vibratory
transducer vibrating at a second frequency of vibration that is
different from the first frequency to transmit a wave that
propagates into the viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing
yield stress fluid; and the yield stress of the flowing yield
stress fluid is estimated based on a linear combination of the
first and second measurements of the degree of damping of
vibration. Such a method may advantageously have reduced or
eliminated sensitivity to noise and error resulting from, for
example, temperature fluctuations. This may be due to the reduction
or elimination of sensitivity to common-mode viscosity.
[0037] While it is preferable that one measurement is made for
vibrations that cause a wave to propagate into the transitional
region, e.g. propagate a distance of at least about half the
boundary layer thickness, it is also preferably that another
measurement is made for vibrations that cause a wave to propagate
only into the liquid region, i.e. propagate a distance of less than
about half the boundary layer thickness. This may be propagation
depth of less than about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm,
or about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm,
about 10 mm. More preferably, such a wave may propagate from the
vibratory surface into the boundary layer only a distance of about
10%, about 20%, about 30%, or about 40% of the boundary layer
thickness. In observations it has been found that, for many yield
stress fluids of industrial importance, a vibrational frequency of
about 2 kHz may be appropriate, although a possible range might be
from about 800 Hz to about 2.5 kz or higher. It may be possible to
determine whether or not a shear wave or other body wave is
propagating into the transitional region or beyond by varying the
frequency of vibration because of the sharp increase in energy loss
as waves begin to propagate into the transitional region. Thus it
may be straightforward to determine a frequency of vibration that
will not, or not significantly propagate into the portion of the
boundary layer more distant from the vibrating surface, i.e. the
transitional region by routine variation of frequency of vibration.
There may be a method of estimating the yield stress of a flowing
yield stress fluid using one or more vibratory transducers having a
vibratory surface in contact with the yield stress fluid, the
method comprising: vibrating a vibratory surface of a vibratory
transducer to transmit a wave from a vibrating surface into a
viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield stress fluid, the
wave propagating a distance of at least about half of the thickness
of the viscoplastic boundary layer; making, using the vibrations of
the vibratory transducer, one or more measurements of the degree of
damping of vibration; and estimating the yield stress of the
flowing yield stress fluid based on the one or more measurements of
the degree of damping of vibration, wherein a first measurement of
the degree of damping of vibration is made with the vibratory
surface of a vibratory transducer vibrating at a first frequency of
vibration to transmit a wave that propagates a first distance into
the viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield stress fluid;
wherein a second measurement of the degree of damping of vibration
is made with the vibratory surface of a vibratory transducer
vibrating at a second frequency of vibration that is different from
the first frequency to transmit a wave that propagates a second
distance into the viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield
stress fluid that is lower than about half the thickness of the
viscoplastic boundary layer; and wherein the yield stress of the
flowing yield stress fluid is estimated based on a combination of
the first and second measurements of the degree of damping of
vibration, preferably a linear combination of the first and second
measurements of the degree of damping of vibration.
[0038] Preferably, the method further comprises performing a
correction to one or both of the first and second measurements of
the degree of damping of vibration based on the first and second
frequencies of vibration and the power law index of the yield
stress fluid. the estimate of the yield stress of the flowing yield
stress fluid is proportional to the expression
(V1-V2(.omega.1/.omega.2) {circumflex over ( )}(n-1)), wherein V1
is the first measurement of the degree of damping of vibration, V2
is the second measurement of the degree of damping of vibration,
.omega.1 is the angular frequency of the first frequency of
vibration, .omega.2 is the angular frequency of the second
frequency of vibration, and n is the power law index.
[0039] The power law index may be known for many fluids of
industrial importance, but another preferred--triple
frequency--embodiment employs a third frequency of vibration and
allows the power law index to be determined from measurements of
the fluid itself. In particularly, the method preferably further
comprises making a third measurement of the degree of damping of
vibration with the vibratory surface of a vibratory transducer
vibrating at a third frequency of vibration that is different from
the first and second frequencies of vibration to transmit a wave;
and estimating the power law index of the flowing yield stress
fluid based on the third measurement of the degree of damping of
vibration and the third frequency of vibration and further based on
one of: the first measurement of the degree of damping of vibration
and the first frequency of vibration; and the second measurement of
the degree of damping of vibration and the second frequency of
vibration. The particular choice will depend on the particular
frequencies and propagation depths at which the measurements are
made.
[0040] In the case of a triple frequency mode, is also preferably
that a third measurement is made for vibrations that cause a wave
to propagate only into the liquid region, i.e. propagate a distance
of less than about half the boundary layer thickness. This may be
propagation depth of less than about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm,
about 4 mm, or about 5 mm. More preferably, such a wave may
propagate from the vibratory surface into the boundary layer only a
distance of about 15% of the boundary layer thickness. Thus the
three wave propagation distances might be, relative to the boundary
layer thickness, about 15%, about 30%, and greater than 50%. In
observations it has been found that, for many yield stress fluids
of industrial importance, a vibrational frequency of about 3 kHz
may be appropriate for this third measurement, but a possible range
might be from about 1 kHz or higher, depending on the particular
frequency for the second measurement. Thus possible frequencies
might be of the order of 300 Hz, 2 kHz, and 3 kHz, or
alternatively, about 200 Hz to about 500 Hz, about 800 Hz up to
about 2.5 kHz or higher, and about 1 kHz or higher.
[0041] In another preferred embodiment, any of the above-described
dual frequency or triple frequency mode methods may further
comprising estimating a flow velocity of the flowing yield stress
fluid based the ratio of the first and second measurements of the
degree of damping of vibration. This is advantageous because many
traditional methods of measuring a flow velocity do not operate
well with yield stress materials.
[0042] In another preferred embodiment, a first measurement of the
degree of damping of vibration is made with the vibratory surface
of a vibratory transducer vibrating at a first frequency of
vibration; wherein a second measurement of the degree of damping of
vibration is made with the vibratory surface of a vibratory
transducer vibrating at the first frequency while the flow around
the vibrating surface of the vibratory transducer is different from
the flow around the vibrating surface of the vibratory transducer
when making the first measurement of the degree of damping of
vibration leading to a different distribution of yielded and
unyielded material flowing around the vibratory transducer; and
wherein the yield stress of the flowing yield stress fluid is
estimated based on the first and second measurements of the degree
of damping of vibration. Advantageously, the yield stress may thus
be determined using one or more single-mode transducers at the same
mode such by using a single single-mode transducer. The method may
comprise changing, between the making of the first and second
measurements of the degree of damping of vibration, a flow velocity
of the yield stress fluid. Alternatively or additionally, the flow
around the vibrating surface of the vibratory transducer is
different from the flow around the vibrating surface of the
vibratory transducer when making the first measurement of the
degree of damping of vibration due to one or more of: eccentric
stirring of the yield stress fluid; changing a position and/or
orientation of the vibratory transducer relative to a flow of the
yield stress fluid; changing a position and/or orientation of an
obstruction affecting flow around the vibratory transducer.
[0043] In other preferred embodiments, one or more recesses or one
or more ridges are provided on a vibrating surface of the one or
more the vibratory transducers, or are provided on an adjacent
portion of a conduit wall. Advantageously, this approach may be
used to tune or boost the sensitivity of the method by changing the
amount of solid yield stress material adjacent and around the
transducer. This may be for shaft-and-bob-type vibratory
transducers, wherein the bob comprises one or more recesses on the
surface of the bob. They may be configured to shelter yield stress
fluid from the flow. As such, the yield stress fluid that is
sheltered may move with the vibratory surface of the transducer in
an unyielded state. The shear surface, at which the yielding takes
place, may be separated from the surface of the transducer. Thus by
judicious use of recesses and ridges, wave propagation through
different phases of the tri-viscous model may be achieved relative
to a smooth bob. A wave that might propagate a given distance in a
boundary layer formed over a smooth surface and might usually
experience only liquid--wholly yielded--material, might propagate
into a transitional region according to the placement of ridges and
recesses and the flow geometry and whether wholly yielded material
is retained at the vibratory surface. Similar effects may be
obtained for other transducers such as a shaft-and-disc transducer
or a vibrating tube transducer. These techniques are not limited to
the ridges and recesses described here, but apply in principle to
any contouring of the sensor, conduit (understood herein to include
a vessel) or other obstruction that creates a regions of flow and
`flow shadow`, or indeed sensor orientations; these may be used to
tune any of the techniques described herein.
[0044] Preferably, and for simplicity when using existing vibratory
transducers that output the measured viscosity of a fluid, making a
measurement of the degree of damping of vibration comprises
obtaining the apparent viscosity of the yield stress fluid. In some
cases this may be based on a measurement of the Q factor of
vibration.
[0045] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of detecting flow in a yield stress fluid that is
initially static, the method comprising: making a series of
measurements of the degree of damping of the yield stress fluid
using at least one vibratory transducer; and determining, in
response to the degree of damping of the yield stress fluid being
observed to increase between successive measurements, that the
initially static yield stress fluid has begun to flow. In one
embodiment, the initially static yield stress fluid is determined
to have begun to flow in response to the relative increase in the
degree of damping being greater than a threshold. This approach
provides advantages in that traditional flow meters are ineffective
at such low speeds, particularly with a yield stress fluid, which
may creep around such a traditional flow meter. The increase may be
a substantial increase, such as an increase over a threshold.
Preferably, the threshold is determined based on a known at-rest
measurement or a previous measurement or measurements, such as a
multiple of such measurements. Preferably, temperature of the yield
stress fluid is measured and as part of decision making in the
detection of the onset of flow, for example, by discounting
viscosity changes brought on solely by change in temperature. In
one embodiment, the initially static yield stress fluid is
determined to have begun to flow in response to the relative
increase in the degree of damping being greater than a threshold.
Alternatively or additionally, the initially static yield stress
fluid may be determined to have begun to flow in response to the
change in the degree of damping being greater than a threshold.
Preferably, a low-pass filtering is performed on the series of
measurements prior to determining whether the initially static
yield stress fluid has begun to flow, such as by obtaining a moving
average from the series of measurements. Preferably, the degree of
damping that is measured is a quantity proportional to the apparent
viscosity, and may be the apparent viscosity itself. There is
further provided a method of detecting a leak of a yield stress
material from a system comprising any of the above described
methods of detecting flow in a yield stress fluid that is initially
static.
[0046] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of estimating the yield stress of a yield stress
fluid using one or more vibratory transducers, the method
comprising: making a first measurement, V1, of the viscosity of the
yield stress fluid at a first frequency of vibration; making a
second measurement, V2, of the viscosity of the yield stress fluid
at a second frequency of vibration that is different from the first
frequency of vibration; and estimating the yield stress of the
yield stress fluid based on a linear combination of V1 and V2.
Preferably, the method further comprises performing a correction to
one or more of V1 and V2 based on the first and second frequencies
of vibration and the power law index of the yield stress fluid.
More preferably, the method further comprises: making a third
measurement, V3, of the viscosity of the yield stress fluid at a
third frequency of vibration that is different from the first and
second frequencies of vibration; and estimating the power law index
of the yield stress fluid based on V3 and the third frequency of
vibration and further based on one of: V1 and the first frequency
of vibration; and V2 and the second frequency of vibration.
[0047] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of estimating a flow velocity of a yield stress
fluid using one or more vibratory transducers, the method
comprising: making a first measurement, V1, of the viscosity of the
yield stress fluid at a first frequency of vibration; making a
second measurement, V2, of the viscosity of the yield stress fluid
at a second frequency of vibration that is different from the first
frequency of vibration; and estimating the flow velocity of the
yield stress fluid as a function of the ratio of V1 and V2.
[0048] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of estimating the yield stress of a yield stress
fluid using one or more vibratory transducers, the method
comprising: making, using a vibratory transducer, a first
measurement, V1, of the viscosity of the yield stress fluid at a
first frequency of vibration; making, using a vibratory transducer,
a second measurement, V2, of the viscosity of the yield stress
fluid at the first frequency of vibration while the flow of the
yield stress fluid around the vibratory transducer is different
relative to the flow around the vibratory transducer when making
the first measurement; and estimating the yield stress of the yield
stress fluid based on V1 and V2.
[0049] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of estimating a fluid property of a yield stress
fluid flowing in a conduit, the method comprising taking one or
more viscosity measurements using one or more vibratory
transducers, wherein one or more recesses or one or more ridges are
provided on a vibrating surface of the one or more the vibratory
transducers or are provided on an adjacent portion of the conduit
wall.
[0050] Aspects of the invention may comprise making a measurement
of the degree of damping of vibration by making a measurement of
the Q factor of vibration. Aspects of the invention may
alternatively, or additionally comprise obtaining the apparent
viscosity of the yield stress fluid, preferably from the measured Q
factor.
[0051] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided an apparatus for estimating the yield stress of a flowing
yield stress fluid, the apparatus comprising: one or more vibratory
transducers, each having a vibratory surface; a processing module
configured to: vibrate a vibratory surface of one of the one or
more vibratory transducers to transmit a wave from the vibrating
surface into a viscoplastic boundary layer of a flowing yield
stress fluid; make, using the vibrations of the vibratory
transducer, one or more measurements of the degree of damping of
vibration; and estimate the yield stress of the flowing yield
stress fluid based on the one or more measurements of the degree of
damping of vibration. Preferably, the apparatus is configured (or
the processing module thereof is configured) to carry out any of
the above-described methods.
[0052] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided An apparatus for estimating the yield stress of a flowing
yield stress fluid using one or more vibratory transducers having a
vibratory surface in contact with the yield stress fluid, the
apparatus comprising: means for vibrating a vibratory surface of a
vibratory transducer to transmit a wave from a vibrating surface
into a viscoplastic boundary layer of the flowing yield stress
fluid; means for making, using the vibrations of the vibratory
transducer, one or more measurements of the degree of damping of
vibration; and means for estimating the yield stress of the flowing
yield stress fluid based on the one or more measurements of the
degree of damping of vibration. Preferably, the apparatus comprises
means for carrying out any of the above-described methods.
[0053] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored
thereon instructions that, when executed by one or more processors,
cause the one or more processors to: vibrate a vibratory surface of
a vibratory transducer to transmit a wave from a vibrating surface
into a viscoplastic boundary layer of a flowing yield stress fluid;
make, using the vibrations of the vibratory transducer, one or more
measurements of the degree of damping of vibration; and estimate
the yield stress of the flowing yield stress fluid based on the one
or more measurements of the degree of damping of vibration.
Preferably, the computer-readable medium has stored thereon
instructions for causing one or more processors to carry out one of
the above-described methods.
[0054] Aspects of the invention relate to the measurement of one or
more of the following properties of Newtonian and non-Newtonian
fluids: yield stress, viscosity (at one or more equivalent shear
rates), power law index n, consistency factor K, flow velocity, and
the detection of onset of flow from initially static conditions. In
addition, aspects of the invention may be applicable in both static
and flowing conditions.
[0055] Aspects of the invention may be used in a wide range of
settings, for example: as an in-line harsh process-tolerant device
in pipes, vessels, open channels; for the taking of field
measurements in marine and earth science environments; in the
laboratory with continuous, automated or discrete sample
measurements; as a portable device for both laboratory, field and
at-line use; and as a component of a system incorporating
measurement of these fluid properties including resonators based on
micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and nano-electro-mechanical
systems (NEMS) scale architectures.
[0056] Aspects of the invention are based on the use of one or more
viscosity measurement transducers and the modulation of the
rheological state of the fluid at the transducer measurement
surface through one or more of the formation of a boundary layer as
a result of fluid flow and the liquefaction of non-yielded solid
material by vibrational agitation.
[0057] In some cases, aspects of the invention can be performed
using a conventional viscometer design, such as rotational
viscometers including rotational viscometers of the cone and plate
type and the rotational cylinder type. Other conventional
viscometer designs with which aspects of the invention may be
performed include differential pressure viscometers and
falling-ball-type viscometers. However, compared with traditional
approaches to measuring yield stress, aspects of the invention may
have particular application for the surface-loaded attributes of
resonant viscometer transducers, especially such types which work
by the formation and dissipation of a pure shear wave.
[0058] Compared with traditional approaches to measuring yield
stress that for the most part require a captive static sample of
fluid, aspects of the invention may have particular application in
the continuous rheological measurement of materials in the flowing
condition, while also being capable of use with static
materials.
[0059] In particular, aspects of the invention may have application
in the monitoring of yield stress or other fluid properties in-line
in a process in which the yield stress and its variation is a value
of interest, and further substances may be added in greater or
lesser amounts according to the estimated yield stress of the fluid
and any particular desired yield stress or other fluid property of
the yield stress fluid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0060] Aspects of the invention will be described in more detail by
way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Components within the drawings are not necessarily to scale,
emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating
principles.
[0061] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a yield stress fluid in
a pipe, wherein the fluid is at rest;
[0062] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a yield stress fluid in
a pipe, wherein the fluid is flowing;
[0063] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a static yield stress
fluid in which there is located a viscosity transducer in the form
of a bob attached to a shaft, the transducer being operable at at
least two frequencies, f1, f2;
[0064] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a flowing yield stress
fluid in which there is located a viscosity transducer in the form
of a bob attached to a shaft, the transducer being operable at at
least two frequencies, f1, f2;
[0065] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a flowing yield stress
fluid in which there is located a first viscosity transducer in the
form of a bob attached to a shaft, the transducer being operable at
a first frequencies, f1, and a second viscosity transducer in the
form of a bob attached to a shaft, the transducer being operable at
a second frequencies, f2;
[0066] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a flowing yield stress
fluid in which there is located a multiple-frequency rod resonator
capable of vibrating in torsional, lateral and longitudinal
modes;
[0067] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a flowing yield stress
fluid in which there is located a multiple-frequency disc resonator
capable of vibrating in torsional, lateral and longitudinal modes,
the axis of the disc being perpendicular to the flow direction;
[0068] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a flowing yield stress
fluid in a vibrating tube viscometer that is capable of vibrating
in torsional, lateral and longitudinal modes;
[0069] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a yield stress fluid a
vibrating vessel viscometer that is capable of vibrating in
torsional, lateral and longitudinal modes;
[0070] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a static yield stress
fluid in which there is located a viscosity transducer in the form
of a bob attached to a shaft, wherein no boundary later forms;
[0071] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a flowing yield stress
fluid in which there is located a viscosity transducer in the form
of a bob attached to a shaft, wherein a boundary later forms around
the viscosity transducer;
[0072] FIG. 12 illustrates the tri-viscous model by showing a yield
stress fluid flowing past a multi-frequency resonator surface and
forming a boundary layer, in which shear forces due to the flow of
yield stress material break up the solid plug, forming a graded
zone from solid to liquid across the boundary layer;
[0073] FIG. 13 shows, a wave emanating from the surface of the
transducer that will firstly traverse the liquid region within the
boundary layer, Ld, and therefore experience the liquid viscosity,
V.sub.L. Where the wave propagation depth is sufficiently long, the
wave may reach the transitional region and thereby register the
higher viscosity V.sub.T of the material in the transitional
region;
[0074] FIG. 13, a wave emanating from the surface of the transducer
will firstly traverse the liquid region within the boundary layer,
Ld, and therefore experience the liquid viscosity, V.sub.L. Where
the wave propagation depth is sufficiently long, the wave may reach
the transitional region and thereby register the higher viscosity
V.sub.T of the material in the transitional region;
[0075] FIG. 14 shows an alternative configuration in which a third
wave is generated by way of a third measurement at a third
frequency.;
[0076] FIG. 15 shows flow modulation by varying the viscometer body
orientation to the flow;
[0077] FIG. 16 shows flow modulation by viscometer position
relative to a nearby surface. Either or both of the surface and
transducer can move;
[0078] FIG. 17 shows flow modulation by a local flow
obstructer;
[0079] FIG. 18 shows flow modulation by modulating a container
position;
[0080] FIG. 19 illustrates liquefaction by intrinsic vibration,
with example lateral, longitudinal and torsional vibrational modes
shown;
[0081] FIG. 20 illustrates liquefaction by extrinsic vibration, the
vibration being provided at a vessel or conduit wall, with example
lateral, longitudinal and torsional vibrational modes shown;
[0082] FIG. 21 illustrates liquefaction by extrinsic vibration,
whereby vibration to cause liquefaction is provided by vibration
sources located elsewhere in the yield stress material;
[0083] FIG. 22 shows schematically an apparatus for carrying out
one or more techniques of the present disclosure;
[0084] FIG. 23 shows schematically an apparatus for carrying out
one or more techniques of the present disclosure;
[0085] FIG. 24 shows schematically an apparatus for carrying out
one or more techniques of the present disclosure;
[0086] FIG. 25 shows schematically an apparatus for carrying out
one or more techniques of the present disclosure;
[0087] FIG. 26 shows schematically an apparatus for carrying out
one or more techniques of the present disclosure;
[0088] FIG. 27 shows schematically an apparatus for carrying out
one or more techniques of the present disclosure, wherein a
viscosity transducer is pivotable from a first position
perpendicular to the flow direction, to a second position rotated
toward the flow direction;
[0089] FIG. 28 shows a transducer with a smooth profile in open
flow of yield stress material;
[0090] FIG. 29 shows the transducer of FIG. 28 in a flow of yield
stress material through a pipe or vessel;
[0091] FIG. 30 shows a transducer with a contoured profile in an
open flow of yield stress material;
[0092] FIG. 31 shows the transducer of FIG. 30 with a contoured
profile in a flow of yield stress material through a pipe or
vessel;
[0093] FIG. 32 shows the smooth transducer of FIG. 28 in a flow of
yield stress material through a pipe or vessel, the walls of the
pipe or vessel being axially aligned with the flow direction and
the shaft of the transducer, wherein recesses are provided in the
walls of the pipe or vessel;
[0094] FIG. 33 shows the transducer of FIG. 30 with a contoured
profile in a flow of yield stress material through a pipe or
vessel, wherein a further boundary layer develops at the walls of
the pipe or vessel, the walls of the pipe or vessel being axially
aligned with the flow direction and the shaft of the transducer,
wherein recesses are provided in the walls of the pipe or
vessel;
[0095] FIG. 34 shows the transducer of FIG. 28 in open flow of
yield stress material but, unlike in FIG. 28, the transducer is
aligned perpendicular to the flow direction;
[0096] FIG. 35 shows the transducer of FIG. 34 aligned
perpendicular to flow in a pipe, wherein the transducer is
partially retracted into a recess of the pipe;
[0097] FIG. 36 shows a resonant disc transducer partially retracted
into a recess;
[0098] FIG. 37 shows a series of side views of five bob profiles as
possible designs for a transducer of the shaft-and-bob type;
[0099] FIG. 38 shows a side view of two further bob designs for a
transducer;
[0100] FIG. 39 shows two further bob designs for a transducer in
perspective and cross-sectional view;
[0101] FIG. 40 shows a further bob design for a transducer in
perspective and cross-sectional view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0102] A yield stress fluid effectively behaves like a solid when
shear stresses in the fluid are below the yield stress. This
happens, for example, when the fluid is at rest or when a volume of
fluid is moving with uniform velocity. When a flowing material
possessing yield stress encounters a surface, a velocity gradient
is developed in the region of material near the surface. This
gradient leads to the formation of shear stresses within the fluid.
Liquefied regions will form where these stresses exceed the yield
stress of the material. The liquefied layer regions developing as a
result of the velocity gradient in the material near the surface is
the boundary layer (BL).
[0103] FIG. 1 shows a yield stress fluid in a pipe. There is no
flow and so the fluid is at rest. Therefore there is no velocity
gradient in the fluid and so it is unyielded, i.e. solid, at all
locations.
[0104] FIG. 2 shows a yield stress fluid undergoing flow in a pipe,
where the solid material shears at the pipe wall forming a liquid
layer. Due to friction and the velocity of the fluid relative to
the pipe wall, there is a velocity gradient leading to yielded
material, i.e. liquid, in a boundary layer adjacent the pipe wall.
Further from the pipe wall, the velocity gradient decreases leading
to a reduction in shear stress to below the yield stress, causing
the flowing material to solidify. This flow is known as `plug
flow`.
[0105] The unyielded material is considered to be in the solid
regime. The yielded material is considered to be in the liquid
regime and to have a specific depth.
[0106] There is a reduction of apparent viscosity as the fluid
liquefies. The transition from liquid to solid at the periphery of
the boundary layer is complex and the subject of ongoing research.
Material that may assist in understanding the present disclosure
and the complex behaviour in the boundary layer of a yield stress
material undergoing flow includes Boujlel et al "Boundary Layer In
Pastes--Displacement Of A Long Object Through A Yield Stress Fluid"
(Journal of Rheology, volume 56, 2012, doi:10.1122/1.4720387).
[0107] Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that
part or even all of the liquid layer could be considered a region
of graded viscosity increasing rapidly into the solid zone.
[0108] The depth of the boundary layer, d, is found to be a
function of flow velocity U but may also be affected by viscosity
and yield stress.
[0109] Immersing wholly or at least partially a vibratory viscosity
transducer into a fluid can enable viscosity and resonant frequency
to be measured in real time.
[0110] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show by way of example a viscosity
transducer in the form of a bob attached to a shaft, the
arrangement located in a yield stress material and vibrating
torsionally relative to a central longitudinal axis.
[0111] FIG. 3 shows that, with the material at rest, the
environment around the transducer is such that there is no boundary
layer--the material is wholly solid.
[0112] FIG. 4 shows that material undergoing flow will shear
against the transducer surface causing the formation of a liquefied
boundary layer.
[0113] The transducer is capable of operating at least two
frequencies. A first frequency of operation may be relatively low,
such as below 400 Hz. A second frequency of operation may be
relatively high, such as above 1500 Hz. It is to be noted that
these frequencies are by way of example only and that the invention
may be put into effect using frequency ranges other than the
examples set out here.
[0114] Vibration at each frequency produces a shear wave that will
propagate in the boundary layer.
[0115] The higher frequency wave has a relatively short penetration
depth, typically covering the most highly sheared liquefied region
and relatively little, if any, of the solid regime. This results in
a lower viscosity measurement and a lower mass loading at the
transducer.
[0116] The lower frequency wave has a relatively long penetration
depth, typically covering the most highly sheared liquefied region
but also a greater portion of the solid regime, the particular
amount being influenced by the boundary layer depth. Depending on
the yield stress, the fluid will appear more solid at the lower
frequency, resulting in a higher viscosity measurement and
increased mass loading at the transducer.
[0117] By cancelling out the effect of the liquefied region to
leave only the effect of the solid region that is influenced by
boundary layer depth, an estimate of the yield stress can be made.
In particular, an estimate of the yield stress can be made as a
differential function of the viscous loss readings at the two
frequencies.
[0118] Advantageously, this approach does not require many of the
assumptions made by other approaches to determining a yield stress.
For example, it is not imperative that the fluid obeys the Cox-Merz
rule, whereby a steady-state shear viscosity at a given shear rate
is approximated by the dynamic viscosity at the same frequency. The
Cox-Merz rule is an empirical rule and applies only for certain
non-Newtonian fluids. Due to not being reliant on the Cox-Merz
rule, this approach has a wider application and is not limited to
fluids for which the Cox-Merz rule is a valid approximation.
[0119] In addition, compared with existing approaches in which
parameters are fit to fluid models such as the Herschel-Bulkley or
Casson models, the yield stress representing the zero-shear-rate
intercept, this approach reduces or eliminates variation due to
thermal effects, noise, unsteady flow rate. This is consequence of
the form of the solution as a differential function of the viscous
loss readings--by subtracting one measurement from another,
common-mode errors or variations are reduced or eliminated.
[0120] Viscosity of a yield stress fluid may be measured at two
different vibrational (resonant) frequencies. For example, the two
frequencies may be a relatively low frequency of 400 Hz and a
relatively high frequency of 1500 Hz. This may be achieved with two
single frequency viscometers in relatively close proximity to each
other as shown in FIG. 5 or alternatively as a single device
operating as a dual-frequency viscometer as shown in FIG. 4.
[0121] The viscosity transducer is not limited to the form shown in
FIG. 4. In this example, the viscosity transducer comprises a bob
attached to a shaft. The bob may take many geometric forms
including, but not limited to, a cylinder, disc, or sphere.
[0122] FIG. 6 shows a multiple-frequency rod resonator capable of
vibrating in torsional, lateral and longitudinal modes. Such a
device may act as a dual-frequency viscometer by selecting two
modes having different resonant frequencies.
[0123] FIG. 7 shows a multiple-frequency disc resonator capable of
vibrating in torsional, lateral and longitudinal modes. Such a
device may act as a dual-frequency viscometer by selecting two
modes having different resonant frequencies.
[0124] In such cases the viscosity transducers are preferably
configured to vibrate in a torsional mode but lateral and
longitudinal modes of vibration can also be used.
[0125] Alternatively the transducer may be the actual fluid
container as in the case of a resonant tube device or a vibrating
vessel of any shape.
[0126] FIG. 8 shows a vibrating tube viscometer capable of
vibrating in torsional, lateral and longitudinal modes.
[0127] FIG. 9 shows a vibrating vessel viscometer capable of
vibrating in torsional, lateral and longitudinal modes.
[0128] As before, the viscosity transducers are preferably
configured to vibrate in a torsional mode but lateral and
longitudinal modes of vibration can also be used.
[0129] Using the bob-and-shaft-type resonator as an example, but
applicable to all cases: in the absence of an additional
liquefaction vibration source, under non-flowing conditions the
transducer will effectively detect a solid material as shown in
FIG. 10 and, when the material flows, a liquid boundary layer
region will form as shown in FIG. 11.
[0130] In the drawings of FIGS. 3 to 11, the boundary layer is seen
as a clearly marked zone (broadly spaced hatching aligned top-left
to bottom-right) against the solid material (more narrowly spaced
hatching aligned top-right to bottom-left).
[0131] However, without wishing to be bound by theory, it is
believed that the boundary layer is more complex than this, and
particularly that it is a region where a highly liquid region
graduates towards a solid region, with a mixture of both liquid and
solid elements in a transitional region lying between the solid and
highly liquid regions.
[0132] Some previously published models refer to a two-state nature
of the boundary layer as `bi-viscous`. Once again, without wishing
to be bound by theory, it is believed that the change from liquid
to solid is better modelled by three separate viscosity zones,
liquid, transitional and solid, because it is believed that
bi-viscous models do not easily accommodate a non-sudden change of
state from liquid to solid across the boundary layer.
[0133] The use of three separate viscosity zones is presented for
the first time in this disclosure and is termed a `tri-viscous`
model of the boundary layer.
[0134] FIG. 12 illustrates the tri-viscous model by showing a yield
stress fluid flowing past a multi-frequency resonator surface and
forming a boundary layer, in which shear forces due to the flow of
yield stress material break up the solid plug, forming a graded
zone from solid to liquid across the boundary layer. Three shear
waves are shown. The lowest frequency wave of angular frequency
.omega.1 penetrates furthest into the boundary layer. The highest
frequency wave of angular frequency .omega.3 remains close to the
resonator surface. The intermediate frequency wave of angular
frequency .omega.2 penetrates to a distance somewhere in-between
the lowest and highest frequency waves.
[0135] With reference to FIG. 12, the bulk of the material flows
with a velocity U.sub.0 and a velocity profile is formed, the
velocity local to the surface having a maximum value of U.sub.0
outside the boundary layer and falling to zero at the resonator
surface.
[0136] The velocity profile gives rise to a shear rate profile,
with the shear rate varying from a maximum at the surface to zero
outside the boundary layer.
[0137] At very low or zero shear rate the material remains a solid
with an apparent viscosity, V.sub.s.
[0138] As the shear rate increases, some of the solid material
yields, leading to a fragmented dispersion of solid material. This
fragmented dispersion of solid material frustrates the propagation
of the shear wave leading to a high apparent fluid viscosity,
V.sub.F, as shown in the viscosity profile of viscosity vs distance
from the transducer surface. This leads to a transitional viscosity
region, V.sub.T.
[0139] At higher shear rates, more of the solid material yields
causing a reduction in the fragmented dispersion of solid material
and the material increasingly behaves as a liquid, easing wave
propagation and leading to a reduction in apparent viscosity
V.sub.F to the apparent liquid viscosity, V.sub.L.
[0140] The increased apparent viscosity of V.sub.T is a result of
the corruption of the homogeneity of the liquid layer by
fragmentation nearing the boundary layer. V.sub.T has a higher
value than V.sub.L, or even V.sub.s, as the propagation path of the
wave through the fragments of solid material that are dispersed in
liquid is more dissipative than through a homogeneous liquid or
solid.
[0141] FIG. 13 shows the tri-viscous model more clearly, without
illustrating the fragmentary nature of the transitional region.
[0142] The tri-viscous model can be used to estimate the yield
stress of a material.
[0143] According the Herschel-Bulkley model,
.sigma.=.sigma..sub.0+K.gamma..sup.n, (1)
[0144] in which .sigma. represents the shear stress, .sigma..sub.0
represents the yield stress, K is a fluid-dependent parameter
termed the `consistency`, .gamma. represents the shear rate, and n
is a fluid-dependent parameter termed the `power law index`.
[0145] Dividing equation (1) by the shear rate .gamma. results
in:
.sigma. .gamma. = .sigma. 0 .gamma. + K .gamma. n - 1 , ( 2 )
##EQU00001##
[0146] Looking at the sources of the shear rate, it has two
components:
.gamma.=.gamma..sub.F+.gamma..sub..omega., (3)
[0147] where .gamma..sub.F is the shear rate due to the bulk fluid
flow and .gamma..sub..omega., is the shear rate due to vibration of
the resonator.
[0148] By definition, the apparent fluid viscosity V.sub.F is the
ratio of shear stress and shear rate. Writing equation (2) in terms
of V.sub.F: results in
V.sub.F=V.sub..gamma.S+V.sub.L, (4)
[0149] where a portion V.sub..gamma.S of the apparent viscosity
V.sub.F is due to the yield stress and a portion V.sub.L is due to
the liquefied material. In the case of viscosity due to yield
stress, the viscous wave dissipation is a function of the
inhomogeneity caused by shear flow, and so
.gamma.=.gamma..sub.F
V Y S = .sigma. 0 .gamma. = .sigma. 0 .gamma. F , ( 5 )
##EQU00002##
[0150] In the case of resonant viscosity measurements,
.gamma..sub..omega.is significantly greater than .gamma..sub.F and
so .gamma..fwdarw..sub.F. Applying the Cox-Merz rule,
.gamma..fwdarw..gamma..sub.F.fwdarw..omega.. Therefore the apparent
viscosity of liquefied material V.sub.L is given by
V.sub.L=K.omega..sup.n-1 (6)
[0151] Combining equations 4, 5, and 6 results in an expression for
the apparent fluid viscosity in terms of the yield stress, shear
rate due to flow, consistency, frequency and power law index:
V F = .sigma. 0 .gamma. F + K .omega. n - 1 ( 7 ) ##EQU00003##
[0152] The shear rate due to flow .gamma..sub.F.is a function of
depth and other parameters, and can be defined in terms of a shear
rate at the surface, .gamma..sub.0, and a depth function
f(d/B.sub.d) as
.gamma..sub.F=.gamma..sub.0/f(d/B.sub.d) (8)
[0153] where the depth function is a somewhat arbitrary function
developed to provide an expected variation in shear rate across the
boundary layer, given by:
f(d/B.sub.d)=(1-(d/B.sub.d).sup.R).sup.-1 (9)
[0154] where d is the wave propagation depth, Bd is the boundary
layer depth, and R is a fluid-dependent shear rate index. This
leads to
V F = .sigma. 0 .gamma. 0 f ( d / B d ) + V L ( .omega. ) . ( 10 )
##EQU00004##
[0155] A shear wave propagating from the resonant viscometer will
dissipate to a skin depth a distance d from the surface. The
propagation depth in a viscoelastic fluid varies with the loss
tangent tan(.delta.) of the material. But, for illustration, the
simpler Newtonian interpretation of this distance may be used, in
which the skin depth is given by:
d = 2 V .omega. .rho. ( 11 ) ##EQU00005##
[0156] where .rho. is the fluid density.
[0157] According to equation (11), within a given viscosity-density
regime, the propagation depth can be assumed relatively constant
for a given frequency.
[0158] With reference to FIG. 13, a wave emanating from the surface
of the transducer will firstly traverse the liquid region within
the boundary layer, Ld, and therefore experience the liquid
viscosity, V.sub.L. Where the wave propagation depth is
sufficiently long, the wave may reach the transitional region and
thereby register the higher viscosity V.sub.T of the material in
the transitional region.
[0159] Two waves may be configured to emanate from the surface of
the transducer at different frequencies, .omega.1 and .omega.2. The
relatively low frequency wave at angular frequency co/propagates
further than the relatively high frequency wave at angular
frequency .omega.2. The frequencies are selected such that the low
frequency wave experiences the viscosity of the transitional region
V.sub.T at a penetration distance d.sub.1 that is greater than the
depth Ld of the liquid region in the boundary layer and the high
frequency wave has a short penetration depth d.sub.2 and typically
covers only the highly sheared, liquefied region in the boundary
layer. From equation (10),
V 1 = V F = .sigma. 0 .gamma. 0 f ( d 1 / B d ) + V L ( .omega.1 )
. ( 12 ) ##EQU00006##
[0160] In normal conditions, d (wave propagation depth), Bd
(boundary layer depth), and R (fluid-dependent shear rate index)
and .gamma..sub.0 (shear rate at surface) can be considered
relatively constant, and so equation (12) simplifies to
V1=.alpha..sigma..sub.0+V.sub.L(.omega.1) (13)
[0161] for some empirical value .alpha..
[0162] In the case of the high frequency wave, the measured
viscosity V2 will mostly represent the liquid-only viscosity,
according to which equation (10) simplifies to:
V2=V.sub.L(.omega.2). (14)
[0163] In the liquid region, the viscosity will vary with shear
rate and therefore the liquid-region viscosity of the low frequency
wave V.sub.L(.omega.1) will not equal liquid-region viscosity of
the high frequency wave V.sub.L(.omega.2). But, V.sub.L(.omega.1)
can be related to V.sub.L(.omega.2) via the power law equation
using the power law index n, according to which:
V L ( .omega. 1 ) = V L ( .omega. 2 ) ( .omega. 1 .omega. 2 ) n - 1
. ( 15 ) ##EQU00007##
[0164] Substituting equation (14) into equation (15) leads to
V L ( .omega. 1 ) = V 2 ( .omega. 1 .omega. 2 ) n - 1 . ( 16 )
##EQU00008##
[0165] Substituting equation (16) into equation (13) leads to
V 1 = .alpha. .sigma. 0 + V 2 ( .omega. 1 .omega. 2 ) n - 1 . ( 17
) ##EQU00009##
[0166] Rearranging leads to an expression for yield stress of the
fluid given by
.sigma. 0 = .alpha. ' ( V1 - V 2 ( .omega. 1 .omega. 2 ) n - 1 ) ,
( 18 ) ##EQU00010##
[0167] where V1 is the measured viscosity at frequency .omega.1, V2
is the measured viscosity at frequency .omega.2, n is the power law
index and .alpha.' is an empirical scaling constant determined by,
for example, calibration with a test sample.
[0168] For known and fixed frequencies .omega.1 and .omega.2, the
yield stress can even be written as the linear combination of V1
and V2 according to the expression
.sigma..sub.0=.alpha.'V1+.alpha.''V2 (19)
[0169] in which .alpha.' and .alpha.'' are each empirical values.
In fact, equation (19) is a generalized case of equation (18).
[0170] The ratio of .alpha.'' to .alpha.' is given by the
expression:
- ( .omega. 1 .omega. 2 ) n - 1 . ( 20 ) ##EQU00011##
[0171] Estimating the yield stress of a material using equation
(18) requires a value to be supplied for the power law index n of
the fluid. For many materials, predetermined values of the power
law index n are available. For example, n is usually taken to be
0.5 for molten chocolate.
[0172] FIG. 14 shows an alternative configuration in which the
value of n can be obtained as a real-time measurement by using a
viscosity measurement at a third frequency .omega.3 that is higher
than .omega.2. If .omega.2 is 1500 Hz, .omega.3 might be 5 kHz,
say.
[0173] Both .omega.2 and .omega.3 are chosen to have sufficiently
high frequency values that they will have a propagation depth lower
than the liquid depth Ld. The propagating waves will then only
experience the liquefied state within the layer. Therefore
V2=V.sub.L(.omega.2) and V3=V.sub.L(.omega.2).
[0174] For the purpose of determining n, the yield stress can be
ignored and we use the power law expression in equitation (15) to
obtain a relationship between V2, V3, .omega.2, .omega.3, and
n:
V 2 = V 3 ( .omega. 2 .omega. 3 ) n - 1 , ( 21 ) ##EQU00012##
[0175] which can be rearranged to obtain n by the expression:
n = log ( V 2 / V 3 ) log ( .omega. 2 / .omega. 3 ) + 1 ( 22 )
##EQU00013##
[0176] Once a value of n is obtained , it can be applied in, for
example, equation (18) to estimate the yield stress.
[0177] The shear rate at the surface .gamma..sub.0 has been found
to vary as a function of flow velocity U.sub.0 and boundary layer
depth Bd as follows:
.gamma. 0 = .beta. ' U 0 B d ( 23 ) ##EQU00014##
[0178] where .beta.' is an empirical constant
[0179] Inserting equation (23) into equation (12), V1 can be seen
as a function of flow velocity U.sub.0 by way of the following
expression:
V1=V.sub.F=.sigma..sub.0(B.sub.d/.beta.'U.sub.0)
f(d.sub.1/B.sub.d)+V.sub.L(.omega.1). (23A)
[0180] According to this expression, V1 increases with decreasing
flow rate. By contrast, V2, in equation (14) is not seen to vary
with flow rate.
[0181] Therefore, by dividing one viscosity by the other. i.e. by
obtaining , VR=V2/V1, an estimate of flow velocity, U.sub.0 is
obtained.
U 0 = VR kA k B - kC VR ( 24 ) ##EQU00015##
[0182] where kA, kB and kC are empirically determined calibration
parameters.
[0183] While the expression for determining a yield stress in
equation (18) provides advantages in that it is a closed-form
analytical expression that allows the value to be computed
directly, this is not the only possible approach to calculating
yield stress.
[0184] For example, equation (1) representing the Herschel-Bulkley
model can be rewritten as
.sigma..sub.0=.sigma.-K.gamma..sup.n (25)
[0185] The shear stress .sigma. for a given shear rate .gamma. is a
function of viscosity as follows:
.sigma.=V.sub.L.delta., (26)
[0186] Shear rate can be derived from the viscometer frequency of
vibration using the Cox-Merz rule, where shear rate is directly
equivalent to the angular frequency .omega.. Thus combining
equations (25) and (26) results in:
.sigma..sub.0=V.sub.L.omega.-K.omega..sup.n (27)
[0187] Taking viscosity and frequency readings from two resonant
viscometers or a single multi-mode device leads to the simultaneous
equations (assuming the power law index n is known):
.sigma..sub.0=V.sub.L(.omega.1).omega.1-K.omega.1.sup.n
.sigma..sub.0=V.sub.L(.omega.2).omega.2-K.omega.2.sup.n (28)
[0188] These equations can be solved to find the yield stress
.sigma..sub.0 and the consistency K. If n is unknown, three
simultaneous equations can be formed.
[0189] Under the Casson model:
.sigma..sup.0.5=.sigma..sub.0.sup.0.5+(PV.gamma.).sup.0.5, (29)
[0190] where .sigma. is the shear stress, .sigma. is the shear
rate, .sigma..sub.0 is the yield stress and PV is the plastic
viscosity. Applying the Cox-Merz rule as before leads to the
following simultaneous equations (assuming power law index n is
known):
.sigma..sub.0.sup.0.5=(V.sub.L(.omega.1).omega.1).sup.0.5-(PV.omega.1).s-
up.0.5,
.sigma..sub.0.sup.0.5=(V.sub.L(.omega.2).omega.2).sup.0.5-(PV.omega.2).s-
up.0.5, (30)
[0191] which can be solved to give estimates of the yield stress
and plastic viscosity.
[0192] Other models of viscosity are known and this approach to
finding the model parameters such as yield stress via viscosity
measurements at multiple frequencies is not limited to the
Herschel-Bulkley and Casson model examples presented here.
[0193] The yield stress can alternatively be obtained, using
equations (18), (28) or (30) for example, without requiring a
viscometer capable of vibrating (e.g. resonating) at multiple
frequencies. Instead, two transducers may be located relatively
close to each other in the yield stress material to eliminate or
minimize the effect of any spatial variation in properties of the
yield stress material such as any spatial variation of temperature
of spatial variation of composition (e.g. concentration). The
transducers are configured to vibrate at their own particular
frequencies that are different from one another.
[0194] A measurement at a third frequency of operation, higher
still than the first and second frequencies of operation, such as
at 5 kHz or more, can provide other advantages. In particular, the
higher third frequency generates a shear wave in the yield stress
material with an even shorter penetration depth than the shear wave
of the second (i.e. middle) frequency. This frequency shear wave
will encounter much the same liquid region as the second (i.e.
middle) frequency shear wave, but at a higher shear rate. In this
case, the second and third frequency shear waves will largely
penetrate only the highly liquid boundary layer space without any
dominating yield stress effect because neither shear wave
penetrates the solid region to any great extent. Therefore these
frequency measurements can be used to calculate power law
parameters for the material using, equation (22) for example.
[0195] Estimating the yield stress of a yield stress material can
also be performed with a single measurement frequency of vibration,
whereby a long propagating wave responds to yield stress variations
without requiring a second wave at a second frequency of vibration.
The flow can be modulated to induce change between solid and liquid
states. These changes can then be correlated with the response of a
single-frequency vibrator viscometer.
[0196] The flow modulation or modification can be performed by pump
speed modulation, flow diversion, constriction modulation by a
valve, stop start flow, stirrer/agitator, local vibrator device,
transducer displacement in the fluid, vessel displacement,
eccentric stirring.
[0197] Local flow changes can be induced by modulating the spatial
position of: the viscometer body orientation to the flow, the
viscometer relative to nearby surface, a local flow obstructer, and
the fluid container/pipe/vessel.
[0198] FIG. 15 shows flow modulation by viscometer body orientation
to the flow. Depending on the orientation, a greater or lesser
portion of the material adjacent to the transducer will be
sheltered from the flow by the transducer, affecting the amount
viscosity readings. By taking viscosity measurements when at more
than one orientation, the yield stress may be estimated using
equation (18) above and setting .omega.1=.omega.2.
[0199] Other approaches may estimate the yield stress using
equation (28) or equation (30).
[0200] For example, a change in flow velocity at a viscometer will
likely result in change in viscosity measurement. It has been found
that the yield stress of the fluid affects the degree to which the
viscosity changes as a result of the change in flow velocity.
[0201] Thus many empirical models can be fit to calibrate data
accounting for the change in viscosity as a result of a change in
flow velocity (as measured by, for example, a flow meter).
[0202] For example, it has been found that the yield stress can be
estimated based on the change in viscosity resulting from a change
in flow velocity by evaluating the following expression:
.sigma..sub.0=(.DELTA.VK.sub.0(U.sub.1.sup.-K.sup.1-U.sub.2.sup.-K.sup.1-
).sup.-1).sup.K.sup.2, (30A)
[0203] where U.sub.1 and U.sub.2 are the flow velocities, .DELTA.V
is the change in viscosity arising from the change in flow
velocity, and K.sub.0, K.sub.1, and K.sub.2 are empirical
constants, which can be found by a standard calibration
process.
[0204] The change in flow velocity is not limited to temporal
changes in flow velocity. For example, the flow velocity can be a
changed as a result of a change in location of the viscometer.
Alternatively, two viscometers can be located in different
locations. The two viscometers may encounter different flow
velocities, for example, as a result of different pipe widths. The
expression of equation (30A) may still be applicable and provide an
estimate of the yield stress. Such an embodiment may be of
particular advantage when multiple viscometers are available but
limited to the same single resonant mode (resonant frequency). Such
a program may have advantages in terms of economy of manufacture,
particularly for MEMS and NEMS applications.
[0205] The invention is of course not limited to such a precise
formula and other formula may be readily determined based on the
principle of changing the flow around a viscometer between
frequency and viscosity measurements.
[0206] FIG. 16 shows flow modulation by viscometer position
relative to a nearby surface. Either or both of the surface and
transducer can move. The distance from the boundary layer at the
nearby surface affects the boundary layer around the transducer. By
modulating the distance and continuing to take viscosity
measurements, the yield stress may be determined.
[0207] FIG. 17 shows flow modulation by a local flow obstructer.
Upstream of the transducer an obstruction changes position, which
may include a change of orientation, relative to the transducer
causing varying amounts of sheltering on the transducer. By
modulating the position of the obstruction and continuing to take
viscosity measurements, the yield stress may be determined. The
movement of other obstructions may also affect the flow around the
transducer. For example, movement of an obstruction downstream of
the transducer may also affect flow around the transducer; what is
important is that the obstruction has an effect on the flow around
the transducer. For example, the obstruction may be in a vicinity
of the transducer.
[0208] FIG. 18 shows flow modulation by modulating a container
position, the container being the container in which the yield
stress material is held along with the transducer.
[0209] Another approach to achieving flow modulation may be through
vortex shedding, either by the transducer itself or by an
obstruction upstream of the transducer. Vortex shedding provides an
oscillating flow whereby vortices are created on the downstream
side of the vortex shedding body, the vortices detaching
periodically from either side of the body.
[0210] In these cases, the alteration of flow gives rise to a
change of boundary layer formation and therefore presents different
solid/liquid areas to the viscometer measurement region. This
causes the measured viscosity to vary accordingly and the variation
of viscosity can be scaled to yield stress. For example, in the
case of a fluid with no yield stress, modulation of the flow will
make little or no difference to the measured viscosity
[0211] Liquefaction may also have application in the determining of
a yield stress or other fluid property of a yield stress fluid.
Some yield stress fluids, and particularly those having the form of
a granular suspension, can reduce their apparent yield stress when
exposed to vibrations at a high enough frequency and a high enough
amplitude. By this principle, air is commonly removed from wet
concrete. The wet concrete is vibrated to cause a reduction in its
yield stress allowing air bubbles trapped in the semi-solid matrix
of the wet concrete to be released. Borrowing terminology from
seismology, the inventors describe this process in yield stress
materials as `liquefaction`.
[0212] An investigation into the liquefying effect of sufficiently
strong oscillations in a yield stress material that may be helpful
in understanding the present disclosure may be found in Balmforth
et al "The Viscoplastic Stokes Layer" (Journal of Non-Newtonian
Fluid Mechanics, volume 158, 2009,
doi:10.1016/j.jnnfm.2008.07.008). Other material that may assist
may be found in Vavreck "Flow Of Molten Milk Chocolate From An
Efflux Viscometer Under Vibration At Various Frequencies And
Displacements" (International Journal of Food Science &
Technology, volume 39, 2004,
doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.2004.00805.x).
[0213] Vibration sources of an appropriate amplitude and frequency
may be applied locally to the yield stress material surrounding the
viscometer transducer to create liquefaction. This may be performed
in flowing or static conditions.
[0214] Yield stress change is detected by either the reduction in
the apparent viscosity or a change in frequency due to a change in
mass loading at the transducer surface.
[0215] The vibration source may be the resonance of the transducer
itself as used to make a viscosity measurement and in the context
of the present disclosure, this is termed `intrinsic stimulation`.
Alternatively it may be a separate vibration.
[0216] The combination of high frequency and high amplitude of
vibration may cause local liquefaction at and around the transducer
surface, detected as a viscosity and frequency change. Modulation
of transducer vibration may be managed by control electronics,
which may also allow the simultaneous measurement of viscous loss
and resonator frequency. The method can be used with either a
single transducer operating at one frequency, multiple transducers
with different operating frequencies, or a multi-frequency
resonator unit, i.e. a vibratory transducer having a plurality of
resonant modes and being capable of resonating at multiple
frequencies.
[0217] Alternatively, or additionally, the vibration to create the
liquefaction can be a different mode than the vibration to make the
viscosity measurement. For example, it can be a second torsional
mode, or it can be a lateral or longitudinal vibrational mode of
the transducer.
[0218] FIG. 19 illustrates liquefaction by intrinsic vibration. If
the yield stress material is stationary, then there is no flow, and
the only liquefied region of the yield stress material is that
produced by the vibrations of the transducer. If the yield stress
material is flowing around the transducer, then a boundary layer
develops naturally as a result of the velocity gradients generated
by the presence of the transducer. A portion of the liquefied
region around the transducer will be due to the boundary layer and
a portion of the liquefied region around the transducer will be due
to the liquefaction.
[0219] Alternatively, or additionally, a liquefaction vibration
source may be external to the vibrating viscometer (or viscometers
in the case where multiple viscometers are used). In the context of
the present disclosure, this is termed `extrinsic stimulation`.
[0220] The liquefaction vibration source may comprise one or more
mechanical vibration devices connected to the vessel or one or more
acoustic vibration sources mounted on or near the transducer or
transducers, at a location offset from the transducer or
transducers within the vessel, at the vessel wall or, where a free
surface is present such as in the case of open-channel flow, above
the free surface of the fluid.
[0221] FIG. 20 illustrates liquefaction by extrinsic vibration,
whereby vibration to cause liquefaction is applied to a wall of the
vessel or conduit in which the yield stress material is
located.
[0222] FIG. 21 illustrates liquefaction by extrinsic vibration,
whereby vibration to cause liquefaction is provided by vibration
sources located elsewhere in the yield stress material.
[0223] As with intrinsic stimulation, the combination of a
relatively high frequency and amplitude of vibration by the
liquefaction vibration source causes liquefaction near the
transducer surface and is detected as a viscosity and frequency
change. Modulation of transducer vibration may be managed by
control electronics according to the desired protocol of use, such
as with a single transducer at a single frequency, multiple
transducers, or a multi-frequency unit.
[0224] It is noted that extrinsic stimulation has previously been
combined with conventional rotational viscometers for static
materials in captive samples but not with a resonant viscometer. A
particular advantage is provided by the use of a resonant
viscometer with which the frequency change due to different mass
loading of the resonant transducer has particular significance.
[0225] It is noted that the liquefaction techniques described above
are particularly effective with yield stress materials that are
granular suspensions rather than gel-like materials. Further
background on such materials may be found in Hanotin et al
"Viscoelasticity Of Vibrated Granular Suspensions" (Journal of
Rheology, volume 59, 2015, doi:10.1122/1.4904421).
[0226] Knowledge of the boundary layer may be used to provide
improved techniques and apparatus for estimating fluid properties
such as the yield stress, such as by manipulating the flow to
change the boundary layer in the area around a viscosity
transducer.
[0227] A boundary layer will usually form where a yield stress
fluid with a velocity makes contact with a surface. The
presentation of any surface to a flowing yield stress fluid
dictates the formation of solid and liquid regions in the fluid.
Promoting regions of substantial flow will result in higher
velocity gradients and greater proportion of regions in which the
shear stresses are greater than the yield stress, and thus result
in liquefied regions. Where there is low or zero flow, the velocity
gradients in the fluid will be low or zero, leading to regions
where the shear stresses are below the yield stress and therefore
solid regions.
[0228] Manipulation of flow may favourably create high shear
regions or low shear regions--known as `dead zones`--in the path of
propagating waves. This may improve the viscous and mass loading
response of the resonant viscometer(s) to changes in fluid
rheology. Solid regions close to the transducer will present the
material better for liquefaction while also amplifying the
influence of yield stress on the measurements of the low frequency
viscometer.
[0229] Local flow modification can arise from recesses or
protrusions such as ridges in the transducer or container geometry
or by introducing obstructions or diversions to create regions
sheltered from the flow--`flow shadows`--leading to areas of low or
zero shear stress and the formation of solid regions.
[0230] By creating contours or by altering the relative proximity
of surfaces it is possible to modify the flow to deliberately
develop areas of `solid`, `transitional` and `liquid` material in
the environment in which waves are propagated and thereby influence
the yield stress measurement. For example, this may improve the
sensitivity of the yield stress measurement.
[0231] In particular, by promoting the formation of solid regions
at or close to the surface of the transducer, shear waves
propagating from the surface of the transducer may encounter solid
regions and transitional regions closer to the surface of the
transducer, increasing sensitivity to the solid and transitional
regions, from which the yield stress is determined. Since the
propagation depth of the shear wave decreases with increasing
frequency, this may allow the transducer to vibrate at higher
frequencies while still propagating through solid regions. This may
be particularly advantageous in that a greater choice in
transducers is provided if the sensitivity to solid regions can be
`tuned` in this way. Alternatively, it may be desirable to avoid
certain frequency bands due to, for example, plant noise, but still
obtain a sensitivity to solid regions equivalent or similar to a
transducer operating in a restricted band.
[0232] Detecting the onset of flow is important in many
applications. In many measurement environments it is desirous to be
able to detect the onset of flow, i.e. the point at which static
material begins to flow. One particularly important application may
be the detection of the flow developing as a result of a slow leak
in a system.
[0233] However, it can be difficult to achieve this using
conventional flow measurement techniques which are typically not
sensitive to flow at rates close to zero. This is particularly the
case with yield stress materials, which may appear solid and
unmoving but may be undergoing a very slow or creeping flow.
[0234] Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that,
since a yield stress fluid requires a liquid boundary layer in
order to flow, an incipient liquid layer will form at the very
outset and this liquid is manifestly detectable as a sudden change
in viscosity from the vibratory viscosity transducer.
[0235] In particular, if the viscosity in a static sample of a
yield stress material is monitored using a vibratory viscosity
transducer, the measured viscosity will be observed to increase
substantially from the value at static conditions as the yield
stress material begins to flow, before decreasing to below the
value at static conditions as flow rate increases beyond a barely
perceptible creeping flow.
[0236] The technique is found to be sensitive, responding to the
mere application of pressure to a yield stress fluid.
[0237] Following this principle, it is possible to determine when a
yield stress material fluid is no longer static, in that it has
begun to creep slowly, by detection of an increase in apparent
viscosity (i.e. damping), using a vibratory viscometer in a yield
stress material.
[0238] Thus there is provided a technique for determining movement
that would otherwise be considered imperceptible.
[0239] FIG. 22 illustrates schematically an example apparatus for
analysing a fluid using one or more techniques of this disclosure.
The apparatus comprises a first resonant viscosity transducer 100
and a second resonant viscosity transducer 120 located in
relatively close proximity to the first resonant viscosity
transducer in a fluid sample 5. The fluid sample 5 in this instance
is a fixed volume of generally stationary fluid in a chamber 6, the
fluid having a free surface 7, and portions of the viscosity
transducers piercing the free surface 7 from above.
[0240] While the chamber 6 is drawn in FIG. 22 having a closed top
wall, as may be necessary if its contents are pressurized, the
chamber may equally be open from above. The fluid sample may
therefore be at atmospheric pressure. In such a configuration, the
viscosity transducers may be located above the chamber 7 such that
at least portions of the transducers extend into the upper opening
of the chamber 7 and contact the fluid sample 5 instead.
[0241] The resonant viscosity transducers are of a type described
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,013, in which the transducers include a
vibrating element configured to oscillate in a torsional mode. The
vibrating element is immersed in the fluid and the viscosity is
determined by correlation with the damping experienced by the
element, i.e. the Q factor. In particular, each transducer
comprises a transducer mounting 10, a semi-rigid connection member
12, a shaft 14 and a sense element 16. The shaft 14 and the sense
element 16 are driven to vibrate torsionally with an angular
frequency .omega.. The sense element 16 and the shaft 14 and sense
element 16 are formed, at least substantially and possibly
entirely, of a metal material such as a stainless steel. The sense
element 16 and shaft 14 both have a circular cross-section, i.e.
they are circularly symmetrical about the axis of oscillatory
rotation. An example transducer that may be suitable for
determining the viscosity via vibration at a frequency is the XL7
model viscometer manufactured by Hydramotion Ltd of Malton, UK.
[0242] The contents of the chamber 6 are pressurized to 10 Bar
relative to atmospheric pressure. The sensing element is exposed to
the viscous effect of the fluid in the sample 5. Increasing
viscosity of the fluid causes an increased damping of the vibration
in the transducer, resulting in a measurable reduced vibrational
efficiency of the system.
[0243] In this apparatus, the first viscosity transducer 100 is
specially designed, via choice of stiffness and mass or moment of
inertia of the resonant system, to have a low resonant frequency at
400 Hz, i.e. an angular frequency of approximately 2513 rad/s. The
second viscosity transducer 120 is specially designed to have a
higher resonant frequency at 1500 Hz, i.e. an angular frequency of
approximately 9425 rad/s.
[0244] To determine the viscosity at the resonant frequencies of
the first and second viscosity transducers, the `Q factor` of the
vibration can be determined. The Q factor is a dimensionless
parameter that indicates the level of damping of a resonator,
wherein the level of damping is a function of the viscosity. In
particular, it indicates the degree to which a resonator is
underdamped. On a plot of frequency response, a high Q factor
provides a high and narrow peak at the resonant frequency whereas a
low Q factor provides a low and wide peak. Due to the change in
width of the peak with damping, the Q factor can be defined as the
ratio of the resonant frequency to the resonant bandwidth:
Q = .omega. R .DELTA. .omega. ##EQU00016##
[0245] wherein .omega..sub.R is the resonant frequency in radians
per second and .DELTA..omega. is the Full Width at Half Maximum
(FWHM), the bandwidth over which the power of the vibration is
greater than half of the maximum (or equivalently the amplitude of
vibration is greater than the maximum amplitude at resonance
divided by 2), i.e. the bandwidth between the 3 dB points. The
fluid viscosity is inversely proportional to the square of the Q
factor and any constant of proportionality needed to compute the
value of the viscosity measurement can be obtained by calibration
with reference fluids of known viscosity.
[0246] It should be noted that the measurement of viscosity at or
corresponding to a frequency of vibration may comprise making
amplitude measurements at more than one frequency to estimate the Q
factor but a single viscosity measurement is obtained at a
frequency corresponding to the or a resonant frequency. For
example, the bandwidth can be determined based on the frequencies
required to cause the amplitude to drop to a factor of 1/ 2 of the
maximum amplitude at resonance. As a non-limiting example, the
frequencies required to cause the amplitude to drop to a factor of
1/ 2 of the maximum amplitude at resonance may be determined by
performing a frequency sweep around the resonant frequency, but the
skilled reader will recognize that the 3 dB point frequencies can
be identified by various other techniques.
[0247] Another approach to determining the Q factor is to measure
the amplitude of vibration at a series of frequencies around the
resonant frequency and fit a parabola by the method of least
squares to the frequency and amplitude values (or logarithms
thereof). The 3 dB points can then be obtained as solutions to a
quadratic equation based on the parabola of best fit to the
measurements.
[0248] Another approach to determining the Q factor is by
logarithmic decrement. By ceasing to drive the transducer and
measuring the decay of vibrations, the Q factor may be determined
by monitoring time series of the vibrations and determining the
natural logarithm of the ratio of two successive peaks, A.sub.1 and
A.sub.2, by the following expression:
Q = 1 2 1 + ( 2 .pi. ln ( A 1 A 2 ) ) 2 . ##EQU00017##
[0249] The first and second viscosity transducers 100, 120 both
provide viscosity measurements corresponding to their resonant
frequencies. The first and second viscosity measurements V1, V2,
and first and second angular frequencies .omega..sub.1,
.omega..sub.2 are provided to a processing module (not shown) which
processes these measurements to provide an estimate of the yield
stress using equation (18) above, i.e. evaluating
.sigma. 0 = .alpha. ' ( V 1 - V 2 ( .omega. 1 .omega. 2 ) n - 1 )
##EQU00018##
[0250] using a known value of n, the power law index, and a
previously obtained empirical scaling constant .alpha.'.
[0251] FIG. 23 illustrates schematically a further example
apparatus for analysing a fluid using one or more techniques of
this disclosure. The apparatus comprises a single resonant
viscosity transducer 300 that has been specially designed to be
able to operate at two different frequencies, 400 Hz and 1500 Hz,
i.e. angular frequencies of approximately 2513 rad/s and 9425
rad/s, as with the apparatus shown in FIG. 22. Such a transducer
may be obtained by choice of stiffness and mass or moment of
inertia for each of the elements of the transducer such that it has
at least two resonant modes corresponding to the desired
frequencies. The fluid sample 5 in this instance is a fixed volume
of fluid in a chamber 6, the fluid having a free surface 7, and a
portion of the viscosity transducer 300 piercing the free surface 7
from above. In contrast with the example shown in FIG. 22, the
chamber 6 is provided with a paddle stirrer 8 which continuously
agitates the fluid sample 5 such that the fluid is flowing past the
immersed portion of the viscosity transducer 300.
[0252] The first and second viscosity measurements V1, V2, and
first and second frequencies .omega..sub.1, .omega..sub.2 are
provided to a processing module 18 which processes these
measurements by evaluating equation (18) above using a known value
of the power law index to provide an estimate of the yield stress
.sigma..sub.0.
[0253] FIG. 24 illustrates schematically a further example
apparatus for analysing a fluid using one or more techniques of
this disclosure, in which multiple resonant viscosity transducers
400, 420, 440 each vibrate at increasingly higher frequencies
corresponding to their respective resonant frequencies. It will be
appreciated that the ordering of the transducers in increasing
resonant frequency is not essential and they may be in any
arbitrary order. In this instance, the resonant frequencies are 400
Hz, 1500 Hz and 5000 Hz, i.e. angular frequencies of approximately
2513 rad/s, 9425 rad/s and 31416 rad/s. The fluid sample 5 in this
instance is a flowing in a conduit 7 at an upstream average speed
of 1 m/s. The viscosity transducers 400, 420, 440 extend from above
through the wall of the conduit 7, the portions extending through
the wall of the conduit 7 being in contact with the fluid sample as
it flows past the viscosity transducers 400, 420, 440.
[0254] The first, second and third viscosity measurements V1, V2,
V3 and first and second frequencies .omega..sub.1, .omega..sub.2,
.omega..sub.3 are provided to a processing module (not shown) which
processes these measurements to provide estimates of one or more
fluid properties.
[0255] The processing module evaluates the power law index n from
the measured V2, V3, .omega..sub.2, and .omega..sub.3 by
substitution into equation (22) above, i.e.:
n = log ( V 2 / V 3 ) log ( .omega. 2 / .omega. 3 ) + 1
##EQU00019##
[0256] Once the power law index is known, the yield stress can be
evaluated using equation (18) above and V1, V2, .omega..sub.1, and
.omega..sub.2, i.e.
.sigma. 0 = .alpha. ' ( V 1 - V 2 ( .omega. 1 .omega. 2 ) n - 1 )
##EQU00020##
[0257] FIG. 25 illustrates schematically a further example
apparatus for analysing a fluid using one or more techniques of
this disclosure. The apparatus includes a single resonant viscosity
transducer 500 that has been specifically designed to be able to
operate at multiple frequencies: 400 Hz, 1500 Hz and 5000 Hz as per
the embodiment shown in FIG. 24, i.e. angular frequencies of
approximately 2513 rad/s, 9425 rad/s and 31416 rad/s. Such a
transducer may be obtained by choice of stiffness and mass or
moment of inertia for each of the elements of the transducer such
that it has at least two resonant modes corresponding to the
desired frequencies. The viscosity transducer 500 is mounted
horizontally through the side wall 9 of a chamber and the portion
extending through the side wall is immersed in the fluid sample 5.
The viscosity transducer 500 has a particularly long shaft 14 such
that the sense element 16 is spaced a particularly long distance
from the walls 9 of the chamber.
[0258] The first, second and third viscosity measurements V1, V2,
V3, and first and second frequencies .omega..sub.1, .omega..sub.2,
.omega..sub.3 are provided to a processing module (not shown) which
processes these measurements to provide estimates of one or more
fluid properties.
[0259] As with the embodiment shown in FIG. 24, the processing
module evaluates the power law index n and yield stress
.sigma..sub.0 from the measured V1, V2, V3, .omega..sub.1,
.omega..sub.2, and .omega..sub.3 by substituting these values into
equations (22) and (18) in turn.
[0260] FIG. 26 illustrates a variant apparatus for analysing a
fluid using one or more techniques of this disclosure, in which
multiple resonant viscosity transducers 400, 420, 440 each vibrate
at increasingly higher frequencies corresponding to their
respective resonant frequencies. The apparatus includes a single
resonant viscosity transducer 600 that has been specifically
designed to be able to operate at two frequencies: 400 Hz and 1500
Hz as per the second embodiment shown in FIG. 23, i.e. angular
frequencies of approximately 2513 rad/s and 9425 rad/s. Such a
transducer may be obtained by choice of stiffness and mass or
moment of inertia for each of the elements of the transducer such
that it has at least two resonant modes corresponding to the
desired frequencies.
[0261] The viscosity transducer 600 comprises a sense element 16 on
a shaft 14 extending from a threaded transducer mount 10. A
processing module 18 is shown on the other side of the threaded
transducer mount 10. The threaded portion of the transducer mount
10 engages with corresponding threads of a conduit 8. The sense
element 16 and shaft extend along the axis of the conduit 8 facing
upstream. The fluid-contacting portions of the viscosity transducer
are formed of stainless steel (type 316) to resist corrosion and
avoid contamination of the fluid. The conduit 8 includes a corner
such that the fluid is diverted by the conduit walls to one side
after it has passed the sense element 16 of the transducer 600,
i.e. the viscosity transducer 600 is installed in an elbow section
of the conduit 8.
[0262] The processing module 18 outputs the yield stress
.sigma..sub.0, and the fluid temperature. The fluid temperature is
obtained from a temperature sensor included in the sense element 16
of the viscosity transducer 600. The yield stress .sigma..sub.0 is
obtained from the measured V1, V2, .omega..sub.1, and .omega..sub.2
by substitution into equation (18) as above.
[0263] In the examples shown in FIGS. 22 to 26, the fluid is
variously at rest, in motion in a chamber, stirred by a paddle, and
flowing in a conduit. It will be recognized that all of the example
apparatus may be used in any of such fluid environments. For
example, while FIG. 24 illustrates fluid flowing in a conduit past
three separate viscosity transducers, these could be replaced by
the single multimode viscosity transducer in FIG. 25 or any of the
viscosity transducer arrangements in FIGS. 22 and 23, or some
combination of multimode and single mode transducers.
[0264] The variant apparatus of FIG. 26 could equally have been
included in any of the configurations of FIGS. 22 to 25, where the
pipe fitting may be replaced with a more suitable means of
attachment for extending through a bulkhead or conduit wall.
Alternatively, the above-described techniques may be implemented
using another type of viscosity transducer, such as a
vibrating-tube-type viscosity transducer. An example of a suitable
transducer of this type is described in WO 2017001861 A1.
[0265] FIG. 27A shows a viscosity transducer 700 of the
shaft-and-bob type comprising a shaft 714 and a bob 716 extending
from a conduit wall 718 into the path of flowing yield stress fluid
5. The viscosity transducer 700 includes a pivot means 712 and is
capable varying the orientation of the shaft 714 and bob 716 in the
fluid 5.
[0266] In FIG. 27A, the shaft is aligned perpendicular to the
direction of flow. In this configuration, a viscosity V1 and an
angular frequency .omega.1 is obtained by torsional vibration of
the shaft 714 and bob 716.
[0267] In FIG. 27B, the shaft 714 and bob 716 are rotated about
pivot means 712 into the flow by an angle 0 and a viscosity
measurement is made at this orientation, leading to a viscosity V2
and an angular frequency .omega.2.
[0268] From these measurements, the yield stress of the fluid may
be estimated using one of the approaches described in this
disclosure, such as one of equations (18), (28) and (30).
[0269] Liquefaction may be introduced to liquefy regions of the
yield stress material through the application of vibrations of
sufficient amplitude and frequency.
[0270] In an embodiment, a single-frequency vibratory transducer is
driven at its resonant frequency and the viscosity signal derived
from shear losses is measured. Liquefaction is frequency-dependent
and favours higher frequency so the frequency of vibration in this
case may be of the order of 2 kHz but the invention is not limited
to this frequency.
[0271] The liquefying vibration can be the actual vibration used
for measurement, or any other torsional, lateral or longitudinal
mode of vibration of the viscometer or the viscometer body. In the
case where the vibration is also the measurement mode, the
amplitude A of vibration is modulated from a very low level,
sufficient for measurement but not liquefaction and the value then
recorded. Where there material has yield stress, increasing the
amplitude will lead to local liquefaction nearest the surface of
the resonator which may be detected in two ways.
[0272] In a first approach, a change in measured viscosity as the
liquid layer is formed, .DELTA.V.sub.AMP. Typically this is a
reduction in viscosity as the apparent high viscosity of a
semi-solid matrix is broken down. In other cases, where the yield
stress material has a more gel-like matrix, the impedance to the
measuring wave may increase as a lossy liquid is formed and the
viscous loss may actually increase. The viscous loss change is then
scaled (k.sub.LV) against wave (resonator) amplitude to provide an
estimate of yield stress.
[0273] A viscometer is driven at a first amplitude A.sub.A,
sufficient to liquefy the yield stress material, leading to
measurements of viscosity V.sub.A and resonant frequency F.sub.A.
The viscometer is then driven at a second, lower, amplitude
A.sub.B, leading to measurements of viscosity V.sub.B and resonant
frequency F.sub.B. This leads to `delta` values of
.DELTA.A=A.sub.A-A.sub.B, .DELTA.V.sub.AMP=V.sub.A-V.sub.B, and
.DELTA.F=F.sub.A-F.sub.B, representing the step change in amplitude
and the resulting changes in viscosity and frequency . An empirical
estimate of the yield stress can be made by way of the following
expression:
.sigma..sub.0=.DELTA.V.sub.AMPk.sub.LV/.DELTA.A (31)
[0274] In a second approach, that may be implemented as an
alternative or in addition to the first (i.e. viscosity change)
approach, there may be an increase in frequency F as the more
liquefied layer presents a lower mass loading m.sub.F than the
solid structure
F = 1 2 .pi. K v / ( m 0 + m F ) ( 32 ) ##EQU00021##
[0275] in which K.sub.v and m.sub.0 are stiffness and mass
parameters of the mechanical vibrating system.
[0276] The frequency change .DELTA.F.sub.AMP is then scaled
(k.sub.LF) against the wave (resonator) amplitude to provide an
estimate of yield stress by the following expression.
.sigma..sub.0=.DELTA.F.sub.AMPk.sub.LF/.DELTA.A (33)
[0277] In an embodiment, vibration at a second (lower) frequency is
additionally employed which does not contribute to liquefaction.
This provides a reference signal to ratiometrically reduce or
eliminate systematic errors caused by temperature or changes in
fluid viscosity. By dividing by the viscosity or frequency
measurements corresponding to a lower frequency (which has
negligible liquefaction effect) errors which might be caused by the
natural common mode changes of temperature or viscosity in the
fluid are reduced or eliminated.
[0278] In particular, a vibratory viscometer is driven at a first
resonant mode at a first amplitude A.sub.A, sufficient to liquefy
the yield stress material, leading to measurements of viscosity
V.sub.A-HIGH and resonant frequency F.sub.A-HIGH. The viscometer is
then driven at the first resonant mode at a second, lower,
amplitude A.sub.B, leading to measurements of viscosity
V.sub.B-HIGH and resonant frequency F.sub.B-HIGH. This leads to a
`delta` value of .DELTA.A=A.sub.A-A.sub.B, representing the step
change in amplitude.
[0279] A second vibratory viscometer is also driven at a at a
second resonant mode (corresponding to a resonant frequency lower
than at the first resonant mode) at an amplitude insufficient to
cause liquefaction (e.g. A.sub.A), leading to measurements of
viscosity V.sub.A-LOW and/or resonant frequency F.sub.A-LOW. The
viscometer is then driven at the first resonant mode at an
amplitude insufficient to cause liquefaction (e.g. A.sub.A),
leading to measurements of viscosity V.sub.B-LOW and/or resonant
frequency F.sub.B-Low.
[0280] Alternatively, a single multi-mode viscometer can be used to
take all of the measurements.
[0281] In the case of viscosity, the viscosity ratio change
.DELTA.V.sub.RL, may then be scaled (k.sub.LRL) against change in
drive amplitude to provide an improved estimate of yield stress in
which common mode errors, such as errors due to temperature change,
are reduced or eliminated:
.DELTA.V.sub.RL=V.sub.A-HIGH/V.sub.A-LOW-V.sub.B-HIGH6/V.sub.B-LOW
.sigma..sub.0=.DELTA.V.sub.RLk.sub.LRL/.DELTA.A (34)
[0282] Alternatively or additionally, for frequency, the frequency
ratio change .DELTA.F.sub.RL may then be scaled (k.sub.LRF) against
change in drive amplitude to provide an improved estimate of yield
stress:
.DELTA.V.sub.RL=F.sub.A-HIGH/F.sub.A-LOW-F.sub.B-HIGH/F.sub.B-LOW
.sigma..sub.0=.DELTA.F.sub.RLk.sub.LRF/.DELTA.A (35)
[0283] It is noted that, according to the techniques of the present
disclosure, the frequency may be measured as an intermediate or
accompanying step in the process of measuring the viscosity of the
yield stress material. For example, identifying a Q-factor may
require the resonant frequency to be identified. On the other hand,
the resonant frequencies might be determined without also measuring
viscosities.
[0284] Alternatively, it is not required that the viscometers
(transducers) vibrate at resonance, particularly in the case where
a change in viscosity is used to estimate the yield stress. For
example, a viscometer may operate at a frequency or frequencies
away from a resonant mode, such as a lower frequency, and obtain
measurements of viscosity. In such cases away from resonance,
frequency-based Q-factor approaches such as using bandwidth to
determine a Q-factor and from the Q-factor a viscosity, may not be
appropriate. It may be more appropriate to determine viscosity
based on time-series approaches such as the log-decrement method or
by a consideration of drag forces.
[0285] In such cases, the yield stress may be estimated by
vibrating a vibratory transducer in the yield stress fluid at a
first frequency and making a first measurement of the viscosity;
providing a vibration to liquefy at least a portion of the yield
stress fluid around the one or more vibratory transducers; while
said portion of the yield stress material is liquefied, vibrating a
vibratory transducer the first frequency and making a second
measurement of the viscosity; estimating the yield stress of the
yield stress fluid based on the first and second measurements of
viscosity. The vibration to liquefy yield stress fluid around the
one or more transducers is provided by the making of the second
measurement at an increased amplitude of vibration relative to the
first measurement. The yield stress may be estimated based on the
difference between the first and second measurements of the
viscosity scaled by the difference in amplitude between the first
and second measurements such as by equation (31).
[0286] In another embodiment, a vibratory transducer is vibrated at
a second frequency in the yield stress fluid and a third
measurement is made of the viscosity, the second frequency being
lower than the first frequency, and a vibratory transducer is
vibrated at the second frequency in the yield stress fluid and a
fourth measurement is made of the viscosity, wherein the yield
stress is estimated based on difference between the first viscosity
measurement scaled by the third viscosity measurement and the
second viscosity measurement scaled by the fourth viscosity
measurement, scaled by the difference in amplitude between the
first and second measurements.
[0287] It may not be necessary to take separate third and fourth
measurements as they may be the same--it is believed that amplitude
of vibration has little effect on viscosity or resonant frequency
provided the amplitude (or amplitude-frequency product) is
sufficiently low that liquefaction does not occur.
[0288] For improved reduction in temporal fluctuations, the third
and fourth measurements of viscosity or frequency may be made
simultaneously with the first and second measurements respectively,
in the case of a multi-frequency (e.g. multi-mode) viscometer, or
immediately before or immediately after.
[0289] The invention is not limited to step changes in amplitude.
In other embodiments, one or more step variations may be employed,
including a series of gradual variations such as with an amplitude
sweep, or periodic variation of amplitude according to sine waves,
triangle waves, sawtooth waves, square waves or other periodic (or
even aperiodic) signals. These changes may be detected as viscosity
and/or frequency changes accordingly.
[0290] The source of vibration to liquefy the yield stress fluid
around the viscometer is not required to originate from the
viscometer.
[0291] FIG. 20 shows external mechanical vibration of structure
coupled to fluid in any of torsional, lateral and longitudinal
modes. Independent to the viscometer, the vibration may be provided
by mechanical stimulation of the container or infrastructure
surrounding the fluid as shown in FIG. 20.
[0292] Alternatively, or additionally, fluid-borne acoustic
vibration can be the liquefying source as shown in FIG. 21.
[0293] In all cases the amplitude and frequency of these source can
be controlled and modulated and the same measurements made as
described above in respect of yield stress measurement from
intrinsic liquefaction.
[0294] Alternatively, the above-described techniques are not
limited to a particular type of vibrating transducer and may be
implemented using a shaft-and-bob-type transducer or another type
of viscosity transducer, such as a vibrating-tube-type viscosity
transducer. An example of a suitable transducer of this type is
described in WO 2017001861 A1.
[0295] FIGS. 28 to 33 show variations of this approach with
viscosity transducers of the bob-and-shaft type, with the shaft
axially aligned with the direction of flow, the bob facing
upstream.
[0296] FIG. 28 shows a transducer with a smooth profile in open
flow of yield stress material. The profile of the bob is
rectangular in cross-section (i.e. cylindrical due to symmetry
about axis), its width (i.e. diameter) reducing steadily to a point
at its conical upstream end and its width (i.e. diameter) reducing
steadily to the narrower width of the shaft at its frustro-conical
downstream end. A boundary layer develops around the transducer,
and thus waves propagating in the yield stress material from the
transducer enter a liquid region followed by a solid region.
[0297] FIG. 29 shows the transducer of FIG. 28 in a flow of yield
stress material through a pipe or vessel, the walls of the pipe or
vessel being axially aligned with the flow direction and the shaft
of the transducer, wherein a further boundary layer develops at the
walls of the pipe or vessel. Therefore waves propagating in the
yield stress material from the transducer enter a liquid region
followed by a solid region followed by a further liquid region at
the walls of the pipe or vessel.
[0298] FIG. 30 shows a transducer with a contoured profile in an
open flow of yield stress material. The transducer is different
from the transducer of FIG. 28 in that the rectangular (i.e.
cylindrical) portion of the bob is provided with recesses, which
are circumferential grooves in this case. Material in the recesses
is sheltered from the flow and low shear stresses are generated
within the recesses, with the result that the material in the
recesses remains solid. A liquid boundary layer develops around the
transducer but does not extend into the recesses. Therefore waves
propagating in the yield stress material from the transducer enter
a solid region in the recesses followed by a liquid region in the
boundary layer at the transducer away from the recesses, followed
by a further solid region in the open flowing yield stress
material.
[0299] FIG. 31 shows the transducer of FIG. 30 with a contoured
profile in a flow of yield stress material through a pipe or
vessel, wherein a further boundary layer develops at the walls of
the pipe or vessel. Therefore waves propagating in the yield stress
material from the transducer enter a solid region in the recesses
of the transducer followed by a liquid region in the boundary layer
at the transducer away from the recesses followed by a solid region
followed by a further liquid region at the walls of the pipe or
vessel.
[0300] FIG. 32 shows the smooth transducer of FIG. 28 in a flow of
yield stress material through a pipe or vessel, the walls of the
pipe or vessel being axially aligned with the flow direction and
the shaft of the transducer, wherein recesses are provided in the
walls of the pipe or vessel, in this case in the form of
circumferential grooves. Material in the recesses is sheltered from
the flow and low shear stresses are generated within the recesses,
with the result that the material in the recesses remains solid. A
liquid boundary layer develops at the walls of the pipe or vessel
at but does not extend into the recesses. A liquid boundary layer
also develops around the transducer. Therefore waves propagating in
the yield stress material from the transducer enter a liquid region
followed by a solid region followed by another liquid region at the
walls followed by another solid region in the recesses at the
walls.
[0301] FIG. 33 shows the transducer of FIG. 30 with a contoured
profile in a flow of yield stress material through a pipe or
vessel, wherein a further boundary layer develops at the walls of
the pipe or vessel, the walls of the pipe or vessel being axially
aligned with the flow direction and the shaft of the transducer,
wherein recesses are provided in the walls of the pipe or vessel,
in this case in the form of circumferential grooves. Therefore
waves propagating in the yield stress material from the transducer
enter a solid region in the recesses of the transducer followed by
a liquid region in the boundary layer at the transducer away from
the recesses followed by a solid region followed by a further
liquid region at the walls of the pipe or vessel followed by
another solid region in the recesses at the walls.
[0302] FIG. 34 shows the transducer of FIG. 28 in open flow of
yield stress material but, unlike in FIG. 28, the transducer is not
axially aligned with the flow direction. It is instead aligned
perpendicular to the flow direction. In this case, the liquid
boundary layer develops on the upstream side of the transducer but
the downstream side of the transducer is sheltered from the flow
and may remain solid. Thus different propagation paths will be
experienced by waves propagating from different sides of the
transducer. The orienting of a transducer perpendicular to the flow
direction in this way may be advantageously combined with any other
techniques in this disclosure, including, but not limited to, the
estimating of yield stress via difference in viscosities (e.g. by
equation (18)), liquefaction).
[0303] FIG. 35 shows the transducer of FIG. 34 aligned
perpendicular to flow in a pipe, wherein the transducer is
partially retracted into a recess of the pipe. In this case, the
liquid boundary layer develops on the upstream side of the
transducer but the downstream side of the transducer is sheltered
from the flow and may remain solid. In addition, a liquid boundary
layer develops at the pipe wall upstream of the transducer. Again,
different propagation paths will be experienced by waves
propagating from different sides of the transducer, with the
upstream propagating waves potentially experiencing the effect of
the liquid boundary layer at the transducer and at the wall. In
this case, the shaft is aligned perpendicular to the flow direction
but other embodiments may have the shaft aligned with (parallel to)
the flow direction or at some angle intermediate between
perpendicular and parallel.
[0304] FIG. 36 shows a transducer aligned perpendicular to flow in
a pipe wherein the transducer is a different shaft-and-bob-type
transducer than FIG. 35. The bob is in the form of a disc or short
cylinder aligned axially with the shaft. As with FIG. 35, the
transducer is partially retracted into a recess of the pipe wall
and the disc-like bob is located within what would ordinarily have
been the boundary layer at the pipe wall. FIG. 37A-E shows a series
of five bob profiles as possible designs for a transducer of the
shaft-and-bob type.
[0305] FIG. 37A shows a bob profile that is smooth sided and
similar to the transducer of FIG. 22.
[0306] FIG. 37B shows a bob profile that has rectangular-shaped
recesses on either side, representing circumferential grooves of
rectangular profile.
[0307] FIG. 37C shows a bob profile that has quadrilateral-shaped
recesses on either side that are widest at the outermost edge and
narrow toward the axis, representing a circumferential groove with
a flat upstream edge aligned transverse to the axis making
right-angled corner with the bottom of the recess on the upstream
side of the groove and the groove widening from the bottom of the
recess in a frustro-conical fashion to the outer diameter of the
bob at the downstream side.
[0308] FIG. 37D shows a bob profile that has triangle-shaped
recesses on either side that are widest at the outermost edge and
narrow toward the axis, representing a circumferential groove with
a flat upstream edge aligned transverse to the axis, widening from
the bottom of the recess in a frustro-conical fashion to the outer
diameter of the bob at the downstream side.
[0309] FIG. 37E shows a bob profile that has recesses where the
local diameter smoothly varies from a maximum to a minimum in a
serpentine manner similar to a sinusoidal edge profile.
[0310] FIG. 38 shows two further bob designs for a transducer, in
which the recesses/grooves take the form of an abrupt change in
diameter. In the uppermost bob profile of FIG. 38, the diameter
decreases sharply at a location along the axis as the flow moves
downstream. This creates a recessed region in which flowing
material is sheltered downstream of the diameter change and so the
material may remain solid in this region. In the lowermost bob
profile of FIG. 38, the diameter increases sharply at a location
along the axis as the flow moves downstream. As the material flows
around the transducer, material immediately upstream of the
diameter change is retained in a recess and remains solid. Thus in
FIG. 38, the recess may be described as relative to a streamline or
flow path around the bob, or the bob profile may be viewed as
having a ridge, before or after which yield stress material may be
retained.
[0311] Alternatively, or additionally, the bob may be provided with
ridges or recess extending to some axial extent along the bob. This
may provide advantages because, for rotational vibrations, a slip
layer or surface may form at the resonator surface, wherein the
resonator is lubricated by the separation of phases in the yield
stress material. If the shear region can be transferred further out
from the resonator, then problems due to slip at the resonator
surface are reduced or eliminated.
[0312] The retention of solid matter at the surface reduces or
eliminates the formation of a slip layer at the sensor surface and
thus provides improved coupling of the sensor to the fluid.
[0313] FIGS. 39A and 39B show bob shapes in a perspective view
wherein smooth-bottomed grooves of semi-circular profile are
provided spaced around the circumference of the bob extending
axially along the bob.
[0314] FIG. 39A shows a variant, termed in this disclosure a
`rifled` bob, in which the path of the grooves has an axial and
tangential component, leading to a helical path around the outer
surface of the bob.
[0315] FIG. 39B shows another variant in which the grooves of
semi-circular profile are axially aligned with the bob.
[0316] FIG. 39C shows a cross-section transverse to the axis of the
bob that is applicable to either of the bobs shown in FIGS. 33A and
33B, showing solid yield stress material filling the grooves. The
slip region is being moved to a circle taking in the outer extent
of the bob, wherein the slip region is predominantly in in the
yield stress material.
[0317] The `rifled` bob has a further advantage in that, when
axially aligned in the flow direction, it also may shelter material
from the flow in its helical grooves in a similar manner to the
bobs shown in FIG. 36B-E.
[0318] FIGS. 40A and 40B show a further bob variant in
cross-sectional and perspective views respectively, in which the
shear region is moved away from the resonator surface, in this case
by providing vanes in the form of rectangular plates extending
outward from the bob, the axis of the bob being coplanar with the
vanes. Depending on the size of the vanes, the shear region can be
moved as far as desired from the resonator surface, providing more
flexibility in design than with grooves, which are limited by the
dimensions of the bob.
[0319] Alternatively, the above-described techniques may be
implemented using another type of viscosity transducer, such as a
vibrating-tube-type viscosity transducer. An example of a suitable
transducer of this type is described in WO 2017001861 A1. The tube
internal surface may be provided with vanes, ridges, or recesses.
aligned axially, tangentially, or helically around the tube.
[0320] In a further embodiment, a viscosity transducer (such as the
viscosity transducer 100 in FIG. 22) is used to detect the
beginning of flow in an initially static yield stress material.
[0321] A series of viscosity (i.e. damping) readings are taken
using the viscosity transducer every 5 seconds for an ongoing
sampling period.
[0322] Each successive viscosity measurement V.sub.n is compared
with its previous viscosity reading V.sub.n-1. If V.sub.n is
greater than V.sub.n-1 by more than a threshold, e.g. if
V.sub.n> V.sub.n-1, where .epsilon. is a threshold ratio that is
greater than 1 (e.g. 2), then the fluid is determined to have begun
to flow.
[0323] In a further embodiment, two or more successive samples are
averaged together, and the averaged samples are compared with
preceding averages of successive samples, with the averaging effect
serving as a low-pass filter to reduce the effect of noise and
non-physical spikes and transients in the detection of flow.
[0324] Alternatively, the above-described techniques may be
implemented using another type of viscosity transducer, such as a
vibrating-tube-type viscosity transducer. An example of a suitable
transducer of this type is described in WO 2017001861 A1.
[0325] In interpreting the disclosure, all terms should be
interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the
context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising"
should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or
steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced
elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or
combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not
expressly referenced. In the context of this disclosure, the term
"based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly
specified otherwise. In other words, the term "based on" describes
both "based only on" and "based at least on." The term
"determining" encompasses a wide variety of actions and, therefore,
"determining" can include calculating, computing, processing,
deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a
database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like.
Also, "determining" can include receiving (e.g., receiving
information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the
like. Also, "determining" can include resolving, selecting,
choosing, establishing and the like.
[0326] While much of this disclosure has focused on the use of
shear wave propagation in the fluid, which may be a particularly
advantage type of wave propagation for the techniques described
herein, the techniques are not limited to shear wave propagation,
such as caused by a vibrating surface vibrating in plane, e.g. in
the case of a torsional transducer. Other body waves generated by
other modes of vibration, such as produced by longitudinal or
lateral vibration of a bob or other vibrating element, may be used
instead of or in combination with shear waves.
[0327] The methods, process and algorithms that have been described
may be stored as one or more instructions on a processor-readable
or computer-readable medium. The term "computer-readable medium"
refers to any available medium that can be accessed by a computer
or processor. By way of example, and not limitation, such a medium
may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, CD-ROM or other
optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic
storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store
desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures
and that can be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used
herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc,
digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray.RTM. disc
where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs
reproduce data optically with lasers. It should be noted that a
computer-readable medium may be tangible and non-transitory. In the
context of this disclosure, the term "code" may refer to software,
instructions, code or data that is/are executable by a computing
device or processor.
[0328] A processing module may comprise a computer including a
processor for processing data and controlling systems according to
the techniques and apparatus of the present disclosure.
Alternatively, or additionally, the processing module may comprise
electronic circuitry to perform the same functions, such as in the
form of an FPGA (field programmable gate array) circuit and/or an
ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), and/or a
microcontroller.
[0329] Software or instructions or data may also be transmitted
over a transmission medium. For example, if the software is
transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a
coaxial cable, fibre optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber
line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave, then the coaxial cable, fibre optic cable, twisted pair,
DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave are included in the definition of transmission
medium.
[0330] The above detailed description of embodiments of the
invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific
embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above
for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are
possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the
relevant art will recognize. For example, while processes or blocks
are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform
routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a
different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted,
moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. Each of these
processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different
ways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as being
performed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be
performed in parallel, or may be performed at different times.
[0331] The teachings of the invention provided herein can be
applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described
above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described
above can be combined to provide further embodiments.
[0332] The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do
not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the aspects of this
the disclosure defined by the claims.
[0333] Some embodiments have been described. These embodiments are
presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the
scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods, apparatus and
systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other
forms. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many
more modifications besides those already described are possible
without departing from the inventive concepts herein. For example,
all methods described in the present disclosure may be
alternatively embodied in apparatus for performing such methods,
such as an apparatus comprising means for carrying out each step of
such methods. As another example, all methods described in the
present disclosure may be alternatively embodied in the form of a
non-transitory (tangible) computer readable medium having
instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor
cause the processor to carry out the corresponding method.
[0334] While endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw
attention to those features of the invention believed to be of
particular importance, it should be understood that the applicant
claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or
combination of features referred to herein, and/or shown in the
drawings, whether or not particular emphasis has been placed
thereon.
* * * * *